A team of conservationists have been celebrating after reviewing a secret camera they set up deep in the forest, as it confirms all of their hard work has been paying off
Wildlife experts have captured rare and heartwarming footage after setting up a secret camera deep in the forest. Shared by Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation via Good News Network, the footage shows a female gaur leading three calves down a forest path.
While the clip may seem unimpressive to some, it has conservationists celebrating as it confirms their decades-long mission to protect endangered species in the region is working. Gaur, native to the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia, have been listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 1986. They’re the largest species among wild cattle but their global population is estimated to be at a maximum of 21,000 as of 2016, with the majority of those in India.
Translated into English, a spokesperson from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation said on Facebook: “Unveiling an impressive scene!
“Footage from wildlife camera traps captured a special moment of the family, consisting of the father, mother, and a young calf closely following behind. Spotting a gaur calf in the wild is an excellent sign for the conservation of this endangered species.
Click here to watch the video.
“Gaur are ecologically important animals and indicators of the forest’s abundance. The fact that they can reproduce in the wild shows that the forest area is safe and has sufficient food resources, which results from the continuous conservation efforts by all sectors.
“Huai Kha Khaeng Forest is home to many rare wildlife species, with the gaur being one of the conservation animals whose population has significantly declined in Southeast Asia.
“The sighting of a gaur family this time is a bright hope that in the future we will see the herd in this World Heritage forest increase in number, contributing to a sustainable ecological balance.”
Commenting on their post, one impressed user said: “Happily foraging for food in the vast forest. Thank you to all the staff for taking care of it.”
Another user added: “So cute, buffalo, bull, a big animal in the forest. Keep it safe, because soon it will be gone. If its value does, it will abuse the kindness of animals because it has no place to eat.
“Now it has to come out to eat its babies. Cute, cute, parents are also cute. Mainly it is an animal. Thank you for the person who keeps their animals.”
While a third said: “Very cute. May the whole family be healthy. Safe on every road.” A final user said: “They are very beautiful animals. So glad they’re still with us!”