Conservation Priorities for Big Cats in Thailand and Myanmar

Presenter: Yaw Wusu Anum

Faculty Sponsor: Reena Randhir

School: Springfield Technical Community College

Research Area: Environmental Science and Sustainability

Session: Poster Session 2, 11:30 AM - 12:15 PM, Auditorium, A14

ABSTRACT

Big cats such as Tigers, clouded and common Leopard species, have experienced significant population declines across Southeast Asia due to forest loss, expanding human activity, and political instability. This study provides a comparative literature analysis of large cat habitat use in western Thailand and Myanmar to identify conservation priorities beyond protected areas. Research conducted by Supagit Vinitpornsawan in Thailand and Theint Thandar Bol in Myanmar were examined to evaluate patterns of distribution, habitat loss, and human influence.
Data from Thailand camera trap surveys and field observations in the Thung Yai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary was used to study the big cat populations. Their data from the Western Forest Complex indicate tiger densities ranged from around 0.2 to 3.1 individuals per 100 km² and varied dependent on survey location and habitat conditions. This research also presents Myanmar’s Chindwin River Basin, where camera trap data was combined with spatial analyses of forest cover and land use patterns to model species distribution.
Data analysis shows that large cats survive and reproduce only where the forest cover is intact with abundant prey availability and minimal human disturbance. Moreover, Tigers were frequently found in areas with continuous habitat whereas both the leopard species showed broader habitat tolerance but avoided densely populated areas. Habitat suitability modelling data for big cats from Myanmar population studies show that the protected areas hold around 57% of the habitats and about 43% is located outside national parks. These findings suggest the importance of landscape connectivity and corridors, management of human land use, and community-based conservation strategies to protect big cat populations.

RELATED ABSTRACTS