Warisara Thomas’s research while affiliated with Kasetsart University and other places

Every year, ten thousand Sunda Pangolins (Manis javanica) are rescued and confiscated from the illegal trade around Southeast Asia, including Thailand. Most of them are usually moribund and need intensive veterinary interventions to recover their health before being released to the wild. However, a lack of reliable haematology and clinical biochemistry references for Thai confiscated Sunda pangolins is a major difficulty for reaching this goal. The aim of this study was to establish a standard panel of haematology and serum biochemistry profiles used for confiscated pangolins in Thailand. Coccygeal venepuncture of 52 confiscated pangolins was performed. Haematology and serum biochemistry data acquisitions were made using automated blood analysers. The lower and upper limits at 90% confidence interval were calculated. The means of all parameters were calculated and then compared with those in two previous studies (p < 0.005). Blood corpuscle morphometry was done manually. All blood corpuscles in females were bigger than males. There were differences of haematologic and biochemical parameters among this study and previous studies in some aspects. Wide scientific discussion was made to explain these variations. A panel of haematology and serum biochemistry profiles for Thai confiscated Sunda pangolin has been established. Veterinarians can refer to all parameters to evaluate the animals’ health and diseases.

Sukmasuang R, Bhumpakphan N, McShea WJ, Wajjwalku W, Siriaroonrat B, Kamolnoranart S, Yindee M, Nipanan T, Maleehuan B, Khanthathongsakuldee K, Pongcharoen C, Sutummawong N, Thomas W. 2022. Review: The status of the endangered Eld’s deer (Rucervus eldii) and conservation actions in Thailand. Biodiversitas 23: 5020-5034. The endangered Eld’s deer (Rucervus eldii) once roamed throughout the plains and dry forests of South and Southeast Asia. However, due to heavy poaching and habitat loss, the population has declined drastically and has disappeared from many of its historical ranges. They are presently found in some natural areas of India, Myanmar, Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Hainan Island, China. Thailand used to be the distribution center of the species, where two subspecies, the R.e. thamin and R.e. siamensis, were found. However, both subspecies have disappeared from the natural resources of Thailand since the early 1990s. Many conservation programs have been conducted to save this species in Thailand, such as captive breeding and reintroduction. Our literature review revealed that currently, more than a thousand R.e. thamin are housed in over 20 wildlife breeding facilities and 109 R.e. siamensis in 8 breeding facilities. Based on the workshops on conservation and restoration of the species, suitable genetic selection can create populations suitable for return to protected forest areas in Thailand. At present, more than 554 R.e. thamin have been released back into the wild in 8 wildlife sanctuaries, 3 national parks and 1 non-hunting area and 27 R.e. siamensis were released in 2 wildlife sanctuaries in Thailand. The follow-up of the deer in the release areas was flawed. Major knowledge gaps include recent trends in the population dynamics, habitat selection, diet items and threats. Identifying and restoring suitable dry forest habitats for reintroduction are also keys for species conservation.

Pla-ard M, Khioesree N, Sungkalak B, Nathalang A, Thomas W, Uthairatsamee S, Paansri P, Chanachai Y, Sukmasuang R. 2021. Population characteristics and habitat suitability of Khao Yai National Park, Thailand for Asian elephant and five ungulate species. Biodiversitas 23: 231-243. This study of population characteristics and habitat suitability of Asian elephant (Elephas maximus Linnaeus, 1758) and five ungulate species was conducted between October 2017 and July 2020 in Khao Yai National Park (KYNP) using camera traps. One hundred and twenty-two camera trap locations were set up for a total of 4,139 trap nights and 5,461 independent encounters were identified. The target species of Asian elephant, gaur, sambar deer, wild boar, northern red muntjac and lesser oriental chevrotain were recorded. The results show the occupancy of Asian elephant was 1.21 individuals/km 2 within the study area. The probability occupancy of the Asian elephant was 70% (SE=0.06). In comparison, gaur had a probability occupancy of 57% (SE=0.07), whereas sambar deer was 79% (SE=0.04), followed by wild boar 77% (SE=0.05), northern red muntjac 77% (SE=0.05) and lesser oriental chevrotain occupancy 63% (SE=0.07). The age structure of Asian elephant between calf, juvenile, sub-adult and adult was 1: 2.1: 1.2: 3.16, and the ratio between adult males and females was 1: 1.72. The results show that roads and salt lick s ites were the essential factors affecting the chance of Asian elephants and ungulate species in the area. The habitat suitability for Asian elephant was 331 km 2 , while those for gaur, sambar deer, wild boar, northern red muntjac and lesser oriental chevrotain were 287.73 km 2 , 249.97 km 2 , 540.40 km 2 , 451.34 km 2 and 434.30 km 2 , respectively. Recommendations for further management involve concentration on the suitable area resulting from this study. Concerning the suitability habitat, it was found that the park bound ary was most suited. Therefore, habitat improvements for all large herbivorous mammal species should improve the areas within the national park an d especially address the central area, with an emphasis on creating salt lick sites, in addition to grassland and water sources that must be quality and sufficient, the most important habitat factor for these species.

Sukmasuang R, Suksavate W, Songsasen N, Khiowree N, Charaspet K, Pla-ard M, Chanachai Y, Thomas W, Srinopawan K. 2020. Home range, movement and habitat selection of dholes (Cuon alpinus) in Khao Yai National Park, Thailand. Biodiversitas 21: 5915-5926. This study aimed to examine the home range, movement and habitat selection of dholes (Cuon alpinus) in Khao Yai National Park from January 2017 to September 2019 with the objective of studying their movement, diel activity and habitat selection. Based on Autocorrelated Kernel density home range estimation, the results showed that the average home range size of the adult female dhole was 64.6 km2, while the adult male dhole had an average home range size of 132.9 km2. It was found from the monthly analysis that the home range size varied by animal gender and the period of their denning and parenting time. It was also found that the distance traveled by the female dhole was 10.2 km/day, while the male dhole traveled around 19.3 km/day. The overall analysis discovered that the dholes were most active during dawn and dusk. Further, the level of activity increased from May onwards. The grassland and mixed deciduous habitat types significantly affected the selection of the dholes. Case-control linear logistic regression analysis between the distance of the location and habitat types was extremely and positively significant with grassland, which signified the high activity of dhole in the grassland. However, the result was negative with mixed deciduous forest, which was the habitat of the dhole. Autocorrelation functions demonstrated high activity occurred during the early morning and after sunset, which showed that the dholes could adapt for survival in the area, even with recreational activities in the park. The results of this study could contribute to knowledge concerning the species’ movement for long-term species management and conservation.

The Asian tapir (Tapirus indicus) has been classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (2008). Genetic diversity data provide important information for the management of captive breeding and conservation of this species. We analyzed mitochondrial control region (CR) sequences from 37 captive Asian tapirs in Thailand. Multiple alignments of the full-length CR sequences sized 1268 bp comprised three domains as described in other mammal species. Analysis of 16 parsimony-informative variable sites revealed 11 haplotypes. Furthermore, the phylogenetic analysis using median-joining network clearly showed three clades correlated with our earlier cytochrome b gene study in this endangered species. The repetitive motif is located between first and second conserved sequence blocks, similar to the Brazilian tapir. The highest polymorphic site was located in the extended termination associated sequences domain. The results could be applied for future genetic management based in captivity and wild that shows stable populations.

The aims of this study were to optimize semen collection by electroejaculation and characterize ejaculate characteristics in Malayan tapir (Tapirus indicus). Eight adult males (4-20 years of age) were anesthetized using a combination of medetomidine HCl (0.012-0.018 mg/kg), butorphanol tartrate (0.012-0.018 mg/kg),and ketamine HCl (5-7 mg/kg) administered intramuscularly via a dart and subjected to electroejaculation. Ejaculates (milky-white to yellowish color) were successfully collected from all males. Averages (Mean±SD) of the seminal traits (volume, pH, osmolality, sperm concentration, total sperm motility, and viability) were 10.3±9.4 ml, 7.4±3.4, 278.6±13.3 mOsm, 206.2±185.4×106 spermatozoa/ml, 24±15.4%, and 35.1±6.5%, respectively. Morphological analysis showed low percentage of normal spermatozoa 6.7±2.6 % with 39.2±8.5% intact acrosomes. This is the first study to evaluate semen characteristics and sperm morphology in the Malayan tapirs. Results provide fundamental information essential for development of assisted reproductive technologies in this species.