A rare glimpse of Thailand's cryptic and extremely rare tigers, the Indochinese Tiger (AKA Corbett's Tiger). The fact they still survive in Thailand is due to the nation's establishment of its national parks and wildlife sanctuaries and the dedication of a great many people both in Government (the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department or the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in particular) and in Civil Society. 

Thailand has adopted a formal 12 year action plan for Tiger Conservation and both the Government and Civil Society are fighting the scourges of poaching, illegal trafficking in animals and animal parts and tiger habitat loss due to encroachment on national parks, sancturies and protected areas.  But will it be enough? 

I think that every Thai citizen and every foreigner who calls Thailand "home" has a role to play. Our role need not cost us any money nor any inconvenience. Its a very simple and easy to achieve role, something we do every day of our lives without thought. We need to talk about this issue and inform each other. We need to talk with our freinds, with our work colleagues, in our social groups and to our children because, ultimately, the tiger will only continue to survive in Thailand if we all want it to.

And so yet another year is coming to a close and we all prepare to enter the new one with high hopes, if not always expectations. 2011 was a year of uncommon weather, disastrous floods and political change. It was a year that, I believe, Thailand's natural places and wildlife gained in prominence. We saw the awarding of an OBE to a long dedicated conservationist in Thailand, the Department of National Parks enforcing a very strong stance against forest encroachment in some areas, higher media coverage of conservation and illegal trafficking issues as well as unprecedented jail terms and fines for tiger poachers.

I, for one, will enter this new year with hope. With hope that the media will continue to highlight environmental and conservation issues to keep all of Thailand informed. With hope that the Department of National Parks will be funded appropriately to ensure they can protect Thailand's natural wealth for Thai generations to come. With hope that international cooperation can help tackle the blight on Asia that is poaching. With hope that the nation can save some the last natural bastions of nature as an example to the rest of the world. Hope springs eternal.

I wish a very happy and prosperous New Year to you all and would like to leave you with............

The dhole (Cuon alpinus) is a species of canid native to South and Southeast Asia. It is also known variously as the Asiatic Wild Dog, Indian Wild Dog and Red Dog. It is the only extising member of the genus Cuon, as its biological differences (numbers of teeth and teats) separate it from the other True Dogs (candini) such as the wolves, wild dogs, foxes, jackals and domestic dogs. They are highly social animals, living in large groups which will split up into small packs to hunt. It is these hunting groups that I have had the good fortune to photograph and video in The Eastern Forest Complex.

It primarily preys on medium-sized ungulates (deer) and is found where these prey species occur although a search of the internet indicates that they will take much larger prey also. I have noted that they are constantly active when searching out prey and move swiftly, investigating trails, sub trails and leads by smell. From my own photographs I have noted that the groups I have photographed have been between 2 and 4 animals.

Their global population is estimated at only 2500 adults and is in decline. Classified as "endangered" by the IUCN and are a rare sight in Thailand although a pack has been observed quite regulary at dusk at Khao Yai's Mo Sing To reservoir. You may just get lucky!