Are there hippos in thailand

According to the World Wildlife Fund, there are around , to , hippopotamuses left in the wild. View in App. Follow Us. Story highlights Thailand celebrated the 55th birthday of its oldest hippopotamus - Mae Mali with fervour on September 8.

Though there are less than to be found in the wild, hopes of an increase of their numbers have been buoyed recently by the news that they have found to be breeding.

Captive tigers are subject to cruelty and poor treatment, so think twice before supporting places that offer tiger interactions. Whilst not critically endangered, their status is vulnerable, but there are foundations working to ensure bear populations increase and helping to educate others about them. Bear populations are found throughout Thailand, including tourist hotspots Khao Sok national park in Surat Thani and Khao Yai national park.

Often referred to as a bearcat for its resemblance to both of the animals, binturongs are a strange looking animal that can be found in Thailand. Whilst not uncommon, their shy nature and proficiency at climbing trees makes them hard to spot, but you might smell them — their musk is said to reminiscent of popcorn!

The plight of the pangolin in Thailand is a sad one. Pangolins have hard scales all over their body, and their defence mechanism is to curl into a ball. Gibbons can be found in national parks throughout Thailand, and they are one seriously cool ape. Gibbons are incredible tree swingers — they can swing as far as 15m in one swing and at a speed of 55km per hour. Whilst it might be hard to spot them high up in the trees, their call is easily distinguishable and can even be heard up to a kilometer away.

Few who have ever been in the water with a manta ray will ever forget it. There are several species of whales and dolphins in Thailand, but whale sharks are amongst the most amazing of them all. Completely harmless, these whales — which can grow up to 12m in length — can be found in Thai waters and are incredible to swim alongside. Diving offers the best opportunity to completely immerse yourself in their world, and floating alongside these gigantic, silent creatures is an unforgettable experience.

Elephants have often been a symbol of Thailand, however, they only number between 1,, There are many birds of prey found throughout the country including the crested honey-buzzard and the crested serpent eagle. There are also thirteen species of Hornbills in Thailand, some of which are quite common while others are listed as endangered. Thailand is home to numerous reptile and amphibian species including approximately snake species including cobras, pythons and vipers. There are three species of tortoise living in Thailand - the Asian giant tortoise can live for over one hundred years.

There are some lizard species located around the country including common geckos and tree lizards, monitor lizards and water dragons. Monsoon forests are made up of hardwood trees that shed leaves during the dry season, while rainforests are made up of evergreens. It is not uncommon to find bamboo and coconut palms throughout the country. There are over national parks in Thailand that house a variety of plant and animal life as well as conservation and preservation efforts.

The most popular national parks are:. Khao Yai National Park which is located just km from Bangkok. This national park is rich in wildlife including elephants, bears and exotic birds. Doi Inthanon National Park found in northern Thailand is home to the highest peak in the country which shares its name with the park. Indigenous hill tribes are found within the park as well as waterfalls and forests full of orchids.

The coastal location of this park features marshes that are home to many waterfowl and other marine life with Irrawaddy dolphins sometimes making an appearance. Erawan National Park located in western Thailand houses a stunning seven-tiered waterfall as well as four caves. There is a tropical forest located here which is full of wildlife. At Goway we believe that a well-informed traveller is a safer traveller.

With this in mind, we have compiled an easy to navigate travel information section dedicated to Thailand. Learn about the history and culture of Thailand, the must-try food and drink, and what to pack in your suitcase. Read about Thailand's nature and wildlife , weather and geography, along with 'Country Quickfacts' compiled by our travel experts.

Our globetrotting tips , as well as our visa and health information will help ensure you're properly prepared for a safe and enjoyable trip. The only way you could possibly learn more is by embarking on your journey and discovering Thailand for yourself. Start exploring… book one of our Thailand tours today! After your Thailand vacation consider taking the time to visit other destinations. Goway offers exciting China vacation packages and India tours plus a comprehensive selection of vacation packages in many other Asian countries.

ASIA by Goway is an exclusive division that specializes in planning and organizing Thailand tours , vacations and experiences. Choose from a simple city stopover , a romantic island stay , a stay of distinction , a classic itinerary , a air and land getaway and much more.