Rare serow makes unusual appearance on Prachuap beach

PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN - A wild serow, a rare and protected species, has been spotted roaming on a beach in Kui Buri district, an unusual sighting hailed by wildlife officials as a positive sign for the area’s ecosystem.

Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park on Saturday released photos of the short-horned goat antelope walking along Sam Phraya Beach.

Sightings of serows in coastal lowland areas are uncommon. The species typically inhabits steep limestone mountains and cliffs.

Park chief Ekkarit Duangmala said the sighting was encouraging because it suggested the area remained a safe habitat for wildlife.

“Seeing a serow at close range on Sam Phraya Beach is very encouraging and demonstrates that this forest remains a safe home for rare wildlife,” he said.

The serow is one of 21 wildlife species protected under Thailand's Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act and is classified as Critically Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

According to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, wild serow  are normally found on rugged limestone slopes, where they forage and shelter among rocky terrain. The animal’s appearance in the beach area, which is between a mountain range and the sea, may indicate that wildlife in the area faces relatively little disturbance and is able to move freely within its natural habitat.

Park authorities said they continue patrolling to monitor potential threats and collect wildlife population data for research. Community outreach programmes in nearby areas encourage local participation in conservation efforts.