A RIDE ON THE WILD SIDE

After successful trips to Myanmar and Laos, this year’s annual BikeFinder ecofriendly trip saw 50 pedal pushers head off to Khao Yai National Park in Nakhon Nayok to get up close and cosy with Mother Nature.
Among those taking part in the two-day adventure were Noi Pisit, Puk Sirijit, Nong Suthichai, Waen Sirisak, Ton Nathapop, Prakasit Likasith, First Lieutenant Thanongsak Yaemsri and his youth team, all of them under the direction of team leader Zeudthavee “O” Kanchanapakapong.
The cyclists arrived early in the day at Lam Takhong to pitch their tents and attend a bike clinic given by Noi Pisit, owner of the Songlor Shop in Khorat. Veterinarian Pattarapol Manee-on from the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department then took over the microphone, explaining how to live with nature and introducing the park’s campaign: “Don’t Litter; Don’t Feed; Don’t Drive Fast; and Don’t Make Noise”.
“This campaign, which is now in its fourth year, has proved effective in building positive perceptions among those visiting the national park and goes hand in hand with our strict disciplinary measures,” the country’s only wildlife veterinarian said.
“They’re all important but the one I stress the most is ‘Don’t Feed’. Wild animals that change their feeding and habitual behaviours often meet with car accidents and get infections. Contagious diseases can spread from human to animal and from animal to human. Foods like curry are totally unsuitable for animals. It gives them diarrhoea and flatulence. Different species of fruits affect the ecology and snacks in plastic packaging give the animals intestinal obstruction. On top of that, I worry about several diseases caused by the changes in the climate.
“Over the last four years, we have seen a decrease in the number of wild animals affected by thoughtless feeding, fast driving and waste disposal. Visitors are also taking the campaign messages back to the city.
“This year, we have set the speed limit at 60 kph and banned motorbikes. Cycling is eco-friendly tourism that has no effect on the national park and in meantime supports the rider’s physical and mental health,” he added.
Day two say the bikers pedal up to Nong Pakchee Wildlife Tower where they made a salt lick for the wild animals.
“The area must be far away from the road but in a location with plenty of grassland, trees and water resource,” said Pattarapol. “Formerly, we used sodium chloride for the salt lick but found that it had negatives effects on the animals’ renal blood flow.
Now, we mix 60 per cent of a sodium block mineral for livestock feeding with 20 per cent dicalcium phosphate and 20 per cent sodium chloride. We pour these ingredients into the hole and resurface it with soil and water The smell of sodium phosphate will draw the elephants.”
The campaign will be reinforced during the expected tourist influxes on Monday and Tuesday and again on Wednesday and Thursday.
“Several campaign signs will be set up at the entrance of the national part in Prachin Buri and Nakhon Nayok, and at the food centre as well as the tourist centre. At night, there’ll be stage plays and music shows near the camping zone and talks about the campaign as well as how we care for the wildlife,” Pattarapol said.