Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park

Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park

Sixteen wildlife sanctuaries and five national parks were established in Myanmar (Burma) in 1981. In this area of the world a count of Corbett's (the Indo-Chinese) tiger has not been carried out for over seventeen years. Back then, the subspecies was most abundant in Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park.

At 1,605 square kilometres in size this park is Myanmar's largest. It is named after Buddha's saintly disciple and a shrine to him is in the park boundaries.

The shrine depicts a reclining figure called Kathapa and it is believed his remains lie here. A small group of monks care for the shrine and have joined forces with authorities to educate visitors about conservation and wildlife. Though visiting the park is a challenge (it can only be reached on elephant back) over 30,000 pilgrims visit annually.

In June 1992 the tiger was listed in the Completely Protected category of Myanmar's Protected Species List. Despite this, the tigers and elephants of Alaungdaw Kathapa suffer extremely heavy poaching and illegal hunting for ivory, bones, skins and parts used in traditional Asian medicines. Probably as a result of this the tigers in this park are very shy and retiring. Numbers are unknown, and while some people feel tigers are still present in quite healthy numbers, many experts feel it is more likely only a handful remain here.
Other animal species in Alaungdaw Kathapa include wild pig, gaur, sambar, (all three are favourite meals for the tiger), banteng, muntjak, clouded leopards, civets, jungle cats, Himalayan sun bears, black giant squirrels, hog badgers, monitor lizards, macaques, and many types of bird. The elephant roam in groups of up to a dozen; 150-200 live in the area.

David Shepherd foundation of UK and the Forest Resources and Environmental Development Association (FREDA), is carrying out the preservation of Myanmar's Tiger species in Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park.
Birds most commonly seen along the streams and rivers at higher altitudes of the park are the red wattle, lapwing, wagtails and sandpipers. The considerable variety of forest birds include several species of woodpeckers, laughing thrushes, babblers, orial drangous, mynas, parakeets, barbets, crucals, jungle fowls, pigeons and doves. Each year from October to March is host to 60,000 migratory water birds from northern Asia using the east Asia Australia flyway spending their non-breeding period of wetland habitats in Myanmar.

We are able to arrange tours to this fascinating corner of Burma, please contact us for details.