Research Center for The Endangered Wildlife Species at Khao Sok

'National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries located at
Nakorn Sri Thammarat'

   There is the diversity of wildlife and flora at Khao Sok. However, the main focusing point is wildlife in which, nowadays, there is an increase rate of endangered species living in that area. In Surat Thani, it is consisted of several national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. 

   What is the different between National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuary?

National Park : There is a proper boundary whereas the sanctuary do not have a properly marked boundaries. There is no type of private ownership right does not exist in a national park. There is no such a strict constraint as wildlife sanctuary.

Wildlife Sanctuary : It is a natural are that is used for keeping the particular species that nearly extincted. There is a constraint of doing a specific activities. The authority is needed to be asked in order to allow to get inside the area.

In this project, I focus to do at Khao Sok National Park because it is easy for people to access in order to explore and research on this area.

'Map of Khao Sok National Park labeling with
the National Park Ranger Services'

From this point, I started to do a research on Landscape ecology. There is the book by Richard Forman called 'Landscape Ecology.' It is about the patch connection of field and wildlife. The example of these principles are;

1. Shape and Orientation : Richard Forman stated that a patch on a long Axis parallel to the route will have a lower probability of being re-colonized that a perpendicular.
2. Straight and Curvilinear Boundaries : Richard Forman wrote that the species tends to move along a straight boundary while the convoluted boundary is likely to have a movement across it.

'Landscape Ecology Principles by Richard Forman'

There are 4 mains tracking methods that are used by many scientists and researchers;

1. Large Scale Sign : The sign of the environment itself and are the first sign that look for when tracking.
2. Medium Scale Sign : The definitive signs of animal life; for example rubs and scratching.
3. Small Scale Sign : They are difficult to discern and include compassion and dust left on the surface.
4. Wildlife Foot Print Classification : There are 4 main categories;
1. Pacer : Badgers, Racoons, Bears
2. Gallop : Rabbits, Rodents
3. Bound : Weasel family
4. Diagonal Walk : Deer

'Methodology of Tracking Wildlife' 

There are several spots that is used to hunt and to observe the wildlife patterns and behavior. These spots sometimes made by human and sometimes made by animals themselves.

1. Human Made : Dry lick, Bird Observation Towers, Camouflage Tent, Water Hole
2. Natural Made : Cave, Stream, Wetland, Brushwood

'Wildlife Hotspots'

In Khao Sok, it is considered as a home to many beautiful animals with 48 mammals species, 322 different of birds, more than 30 species of bat and countless reptiles and insects. Additionally, I also study the animal food chains.

 'Section Diagram showing the Fauna in
Khao Sok National Park' 

From the field trip at Khao Sok, I realized that most of the structure inside the Ratchaprapa Dam is the amphibious structure. Therefore, I started to collect the information and observe some the structure and study the type of structure. I have created the typology of amphibious structure of the shelter we stayed during the trip.

'Amphibious Structure Structure Typology'

I proposed the projected of the unit amphibious structure for the research center. From my observation, the main transportation inside the dam is boat. Therefore, I try to use that advantage in order to design my project. For this design, each unit is a unit for the specific research field. Also, each unit can be detached in order to go along the trail to the specific location. Then, it can joining to the main core of the center.

'Project Proposal'