Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary
Encyclopedia
Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary in northern Thailand
, located in the south of Loei Province
.
It covers an area of 897 km², covering area of the tambon
Pla Ba and Tha Sala of Phu Ruea district
, Phon Sung, Wang Yao and I Pum of Dan Sai
, Nong Ngio and Saikhao of Wang Saphung
, and Phu Ho of Phu Luang district
.
The wildlife reserve was established in 1974. In 1985 it was further enlarged by 97 km². The reserve is named after its highest mountain, which peaks at 1571 m. The reserve covers the whole mountain plateau around the peak, which has an altitude of around 1200 m above sealevel. To west of the reserve the Loei River
originates. Phu Luang means a large mountain or the Mountain of the King, formed by an uplift of the earth’s crust and a slide of soft soil down to the lower land.
There are overall 3 types of climate on Phu Luang, similar to a plain, with different temperatures. Summer starts from February to April with an average temperature of 20-24 °C. During this season, there are colourful blossoms such as dendrobiums, white wild orchids, white and red rhododendrons. The rainy season is from May to October, when the temperature is equally or slightly higher than in the summer. There will be tiny wild flowers in purplish pink scattered in the savanna. On the other hand, the temperature highly drops during the winter to 0-16 °C in November – January. On some days, the temperature can decrease to -4°C. During this season, Kuam Daeng (Acer calcaratum) or known as maple trees will transform into red and shed their leaves. Kradum Ngoen (Eriocaulon henryanum Ruhle) and lady’s slipper orchids (Paphiopedilum sukhakulii Schoser & Senghas) comprise the undergrowth of the hill evergreen forest. On the east of Phu Luang, dinosaur’s footprints on the rock, aged more than 120 million years were discovered. Besides, there are various kinds of forests such as mixed deciduous forest, dry evergreen forest, and hill evergreen forest. The most distinguished ones on Phu Luang are Pinus merkusii and Kesiya pine forests, savanna on plains, mounds, and stone terraces. Moreover, the wildlife sanctuary has organised the Phu Luang Nature Study Route, starting from Amphoe Phu Ruea at Khok Nok Kraba, passing Lan Suriyan, Pha Somdet, and the dinosaur’s footprints.
The reserve is home of an estimated 100 of wild elephants. The Elephants Rehabilitation Project within the wildlife reserve is under the patronage of Queen Sirikit.
The Phu Luang Cliff frog (Huia aureola) was found within the reserve in 2006, notable due to its ability to change its color. Also more than 160 species of orchids grow in the area.
Northern Thailand
Thailand's northern region is geographically characterised by multiple mountain ranges which continue from the Shan Hills in bordering Myanmar and Laos, and the river valleys which cut through them...
, located in the south of Loei Province
Loei Province
Loei is one of the most sparsely populated provinces of Thailand, located in the North-East. Neighboring provinces are Nong Khai, Udon Thani, Nongbua Lamphu, Khon Kaen, Phetchabun, Phitsanulok...
.
It covers an area of 897 km², covering area of the tambon
Tambon
Tambon is a local government unit in Thailand. Below district and province , they form the third administrative subdivision level. As of the 2009 there are 7255 tambon, not including the 169 khwaeng of Bangkok, which are set at the same administrative level, thus every district contains 8-10 tambon...
Pla Ba and Tha Sala of Phu Ruea district
Amphoe Phu Ruea
Phu Ruea is a district in the western part of Loei Province, northeastern Thailand.-History:The government split off some part of Tha Li, Mueang Loei and Dan Sai districts and made them to the minor district Phu Ruea on October 15 1968 and made it a subordinate of Dan Sai...
, Phon Sung, Wang Yao and I Pum of Dan Sai
Amphoe Dan Sai
Dan Sai is a district in the western part of Loei Province, northeastern Thailand.-Geography:Neighboring districts are Phu Ruea of Loei Province, Lom Kao and Khao Kho of Phetchabun Province, Nakhon Thai of Phitsanulok Province, and Na Haeo of Loei again...
, Nong Ngio and Saikhao of Wang Saphung
Amphoe Wang Saphung
Wang Saphung is a district in the central part of Loei Province, northeastern Thailand.-History:Khwaeng Wang Saphung was a satellite city of Mueang Lom Sak...
, and Phu Ho of Phu Luang district
Amphoe Phu Luang
-Geography:Neighboring districts are Nam Nao of Phetchabun Province, Phu Ruea, Wang Saphung, Nong Hin and Phu Kradueng of Loei Province....
.
The wildlife reserve was established in 1974. In 1985 it was further enlarged by 97 km². The reserve is named after its highest mountain, which peaks at 1571 m. The reserve covers the whole mountain plateau around the peak, which has an altitude of around 1200 m above sealevel. To west of the reserve the Loei River
Loei River
The Loei River is the one of tributaries of the Mekong River. It originates at the western shore of the Phu Luang plateau, at first flowing southwards...
originates. Phu Luang means a large mountain or the Mountain of the King, formed by an uplift of the earth’s crust and a slide of soft soil down to the lower land.
There are overall 3 types of climate on Phu Luang, similar to a plain, with different temperatures. Summer starts from February to April with an average temperature of 20-24 °C. During this season, there are colourful blossoms such as dendrobiums, white wild orchids, white and red rhododendrons. The rainy season is from May to October, when the temperature is equally or slightly higher than in the summer. There will be tiny wild flowers in purplish pink scattered in the savanna. On the other hand, the temperature highly drops during the winter to 0-16 °C in November – January. On some days, the temperature can decrease to -4°C. During this season, Kuam Daeng (Acer calcaratum) or known as maple trees will transform into red and shed their leaves. Kradum Ngoen (Eriocaulon henryanum Ruhle) and lady’s slipper orchids (Paphiopedilum sukhakulii Schoser & Senghas) comprise the undergrowth of the hill evergreen forest. On the east of Phu Luang, dinosaur’s footprints on the rock, aged more than 120 million years were discovered. Besides, there are various kinds of forests such as mixed deciduous forest, dry evergreen forest, and hill evergreen forest. The most distinguished ones on Phu Luang are Pinus merkusii and Kesiya pine forests, savanna on plains, mounds, and stone terraces. Moreover, the wildlife sanctuary has organised the Phu Luang Nature Study Route, starting from Amphoe Phu Ruea at Khok Nok Kraba, passing Lan Suriyan, Pha Somdet, and the dinosaur’s footprints.
The reserve is home of an estimated 100 of wild elephants. The Elephants Rehabilitation Project within the wildlife reserve is under the patronage of Queen Sirikit.
The Phu Luang Cliff frog (Huia aureola) was found within the reserve in 2006, notable due to its ability to change its color. Also more than 160 species of orchids grow in the area.
Sources
- Forestry department (Thai only)
- Royal Gazette entries for Phu Luang: