Community Rare Black Panther Spotted Strolling in Kaeng Krachan, Delights Tourists

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Daily News.

 

A rare and protected black panther was spotted in the wild at Kaeng Krachan National Park, Phetchaburi, delighting park rangers and tourists alike as it calmly walked along a road and a log in the late afternoon sunshine.

 

Mr. Mongkhon Chaipakdee, Head of Kaeng Krachan National Park, shared images and details of the encounter that took place on the evening of 25 July. The sighting occurred at kilometre 22 on the road leading up to Phanoen Thung, a popular mountain viewpoint within the park.

 

The black panther was first seen by Mr. Busakorn Kantuk, a national park ranger, while he was clearing fallen branches along the route. To his amazement, the elusive creature emerged from the forest and appeared completely relaxed as it wandered through the area. At one point, it climbed onto a large log and stood there proudly, offering a rare and breathtaking sight for those fortunate enough to witness it.

 

Observers noted that the panther displayed no signs of fear or agitation, moving gracefully and confidently within its natural habitat, which forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex.

 

Park officials reminded the public and visitors to treat all wildlife with respect and caution. Mr. Mongkhon urged tourists to keep a safe distance if they encounter wild animals, especially predators such as panthers. He advised visitors to remain inside their vehicles, avoid loud noises and strictly refrain from feeding any wild animals.

 

“Feeding wildlife may cause them to associate humans with food, potentially leading to dangerous behavioural changes,” he warned.

 

The sighting serves as a reassuring sign of biodiversity within the park and highlights the importance of ongoing conservation efforts to protect precious and endangered species.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Daily News 2025-07-27

 

 

 

 

[sungod]

Dont tell Premchai....

[Gaccha]

Just to be clear, this is a black leopard.

[novacova]

8 minutes ago, Gaccha said:

Just to be clear, this is a black leopard.

Specifically correct. Though “panther” is not a distinct species but is a term used for variants of large black cats with a genetic mutation generally in leopards & jaguars.

[Yellowtail]

7 minutes ago, novacova said:

Specifically correct. Though “panther” is not a distinct species but is a term used for variants of large black cats with a genetic mutation generally in leopards & jaguars.

He meant to say pedantic 

[hotchilli]

On 7/27/2025 at 10:21 AM, sungod said:

Dont tell Premchai....

My thoughts exactly

[LALes]

On 7/27/2025 at 12:34 PM, novacova said:

Specifically correct. Though “panther” is not a distinct species but is a term used for variants of large black cats with a genetic mutation generally in leopards & jaguars.

Spot on.  Saying "black panther" is actually redundant.

[mfd101]

There was a photo like this posted only a few days ago. Same fella?

[jcmj]

I wish they would stop putting the location where it was seen. Just state the fact that it was seen in the park. We don’t want any idiots out there searching for a medicinal cure, money or a prize hunt and decimate what few we have left. 

[rudi49jr]

1 hour ago, jcmj said:

I wish they would stop putting the location where it was seen. Just state the fact that it was seen in the park. We don’t want any idiots out there searching for a medicinal cure, money or a prize hunt and decimate what few we have left. 

Exactly, it’s like painting a target on these animals. I remember a program on National Geographic some 20-25 years ago about some expedition into Kaeng Krachan that found evidence of quite a few tigers living in the park. An expedition 15 years later found zero evidence of tigers still living there. 
Recent findings are that there are still a few tigers in the park, but not nearly as many as were found on that expedition 25 years ago.

[PETERTHEEATER]

On 7/27/2025 at 4:21 AM, sungod said:

Dont tell Premchai....

I think he's preoccupied with the collapsed building scandal.

[sammieuk1]

On 7/27/2025 at 4:21 AM, sungod said:

Dont tell Premchai....

To late the big gun has been loaded and the BBQ fired up police will end up looking for hairy scat samples again 🤔