Wildlife experts have captured extraordinary and touching footage after positioning a secret camera deep within the forest.
Released by Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation through Good News Network, the recording reveals a female gaur guiding three youngsters along a woodland trail.
Whilst the video might appear unremarkable to some observers, it has conservationists rejoicing as it validates their decades-long campaign to safeguard threatened species in the area is proving successful.
Gaur, indigenous to the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia, have been classified as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 1986.
They represent the largest species amongst wild cattle, yet their worldwide population is estimated at a maximum of 21,000 as of 2016, with most of those residing in India.
Click here to watch the video
Translated into English, a spokesperson from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation declared 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.”
Responding to their post, one delighted user remarked: “Happily foraging for food in the vast forest. Thank you to all the staff for taking care of it.”
Another user commented: “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.”
Meanwhile, a third remarked: “Very cute. May the whole family be healthy. Safe on every road.”
A final user declared: “They are very beautiful animals. So glad they’re still with us!”.
