Pattaya - Wildlife & Vegetation Conservation Project

Bangpra Wildlife Research Center:

Though not known to many, the Bangpra Wildlife Research Center was one stop on our way to the island of Ko Sak. Sitting just north of Pattaya, the center is a safe haven for exotic animals from all around the world to live after being brutally taken away from their homes and sold on the black markets in Thailand. After they are sold, they are released into the hands of customers wanting some pretty crazy pets. Why is the center so unfamiliar to locals and travelers you ask? Weeeell…due to both local and tourist groups treating the center as a zoo and not as a proper research and animal rehabilitation and release facility, the Thai government was forced to close the center off to visitors in order to protect the mission of the center, as well as the animals themselves. The center works diligently to both rehabilitate the animals that have a chance to return to their natural environment, and keep the ones that cannot as safe and content as possible. It is because of the risk of possibly spreading foreign disease that some animals may not return to their habitat and be reunited with their lost freedom.

I came to Bangpra Center as part of an educational research team through Mahidol University. It is only because of this more official group that we were granted access to everything from primates, to slow lorises, river otters and funky bird species. It pains me deeply to know that the existence of greedy human beings, both collectors of these animals as well as zoogoers, places these incredible species in such peril. Though I believe this goes without saying, as I have faith in all who would ever read this blog, but it is important to spread the world of the Bangpra Wildlife Research Center and ask that you do not partake in any animal trafficking actions. The extermination of such acts will put an end to the horrible business of stripping the environment of its native animal species.

Sustainable Gardening Project: Pattaya

A second stop in Pattaya for our group was to the very famous and funny little farm located at Birds and Bees Resort. The mini-farm sits just behind the resort, where different organic, agricultural techniques are pioneered and demonstrated for the benefit of rural communities in Thailand. Some of the innovative products include: mushrooms and other vegetables, fruits, a large array of flowers, and even chickens that listen to Mozart! We spent the day exploring and learning about some very new and innovative farming techniques. Produce from the garden is used by the restaurant near the beach portion of the resort, as well as distributed throughout the village community