The path to true sustainability requires continuity and consistency. That’s why the “Release of Sambar into the Wild Project” has been ongoing for five years, with its first release in 2021 at Mae Wong–Khlong Lan National Parks.
This year marks a milestone with the first expansion to Salakpra Wildlife Sanctuary in Kanchanaburi Province, where the project took place from 27 April to 8 May 2025. A total of 15 sambar—10 females and 5 males, including 4 fitted with GPS collars—were released into their natural habitat.
The sambar were translocated from three Wildlife Breeding Centres: Khao Son, Huai Sai, and Bang Lamung. Upon arrival, they were kept in forest enclosures for one week to allow them to adapt to the new environment and to undergo final health assessments before release.
All procedures strictly adhered to Thai legal requirements and complied with WWF’s Animal Handling and Translocation Standards, in line with protocols used in earlier releases in Mae Wong–Khlong Lan National Parks.
This expansion builds upon proven methods, based on lessons learned and collective experience. The ultimate goal is to restore and sustain sambar populations—starting in captivity and culminating in the wild—thereby helping to rebalance the ecosystem and support the food chain.
