Wildlife – animals, birds, marine life

As there are virtually no people living in the Mergui Archipelago it is a haven for wildlife. Needless to say, many of the creatures have an inbuilt sense of survival and wariness towards humans, although the monkeys which visit our safari camp seem to have overcome their shyness! Paddling quietly along the jungle rivers usually brings rich rewards for nature lovers, particularly the rare and beautiful birds including Hornbills and many species of brilliantly colourful Kingfishers, with Flying Foxes and troops of monkeys in the trees and on the waters edge. Snakes curled up, sunning themselves on tree branches are nearly always seen.

There are elephants on Lampi Island which were, in the past, were used for logging. The logging ceased years ago and Lampi Island is now a National Park. The elephants were left on the island, which provides them with a bountiful supply of food and fresh water. We’ve seen these magnificent creatures many times and have a healthy respect for them!

When darkness falls the sounds of the forest come alive. Whilst relaxing around the campfire one hears the sounds of all sorts of creatures nearby, such as wild boar, Mouse Deer and Civet cats. When dawn breaks, the monkeys and Gibbons start their calling and the rest of the creatures join in the cacophony!

The Mergui Archipelago is one of the last areas in Asia where the Sea Turtle is still relatively safe to come ashore and lay her eggs undisturbed. The fact that there is such a lack of human presence means that the eggs will get an even chance of survival, without being dug up and sold in local markets. The eggs of Sea Turtles are considered a delicacy by locals throughout Asia and fetch a good price. The Moken collect Turtle eggs and are a regular part of their diet, but this small scale harvesting has a negligible effect on the local turtle population. The Moken also eat the meat of turtles, which they catch by spearing whilst free-diving or by harpooning them from their dug-out canoes.

The Sea Turtle is now an endangered species. The rare Green Sea Turtle is present in the waters around the archipelago, as is the even rarer Leather Back Turtle. Both of these species now face extinction. May be the Mergui archipelago with its vastness, will be one of the last bastions giving these and other rare and endangered creatures a fighting chance for survival!

One evening just as the sun had disappeared over the western horizon and a full moon was rising from the east - the time between dusk and dark, a flock of Fruit Bats past over head, flying north. The flock was, at a conservative estimate, ten thousand strong. An awe-inspiring and unforgettable sight!

Some of the creatures that we have seen on our sea-kayaking adventures have seen wild elephants, Flying Foxes, Civet Cats, Gibbons, crab-eating Maquaks, wild boar, Monitor Lizards, Turtles, Armadillos, Mouse Deer, the odd Crocodile and Fruit Bats, whilst bird-life includes flocks of parrots, Hornbills, owls and Sea Eagles. 

These are just some of the resident birds of the Mergui Archipelago:
Chinese pond Heron, Pacific Reef Egret, Brahminy Kite, Besra, White Bellied sea Eagle, Red Wattled Lapwing, Eurasian Curlew, Common Sandpiper, Beach Thick Knees, Common Turn, Large green Pigeon, Green Imperial Pigeon, Brown winged Kingfisher, Black capped Kingfisher, Collared Kingfisher, Chestnut Headed Bee-eater, Wreathed Hornbill, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Great Hornbill, Pacific Swallow, Blue Winged Leaf Bird, Greater Racket tailed Drongo, Large billed Crow, Blue whistling Thrush, Brow-throated Sunbird, Eurasian Tree sparrow, Blacked napped Oriole, Tickells Blue Flycatcher, Scarlet backed Flower Pecker, Crimson Sunbird.

Marine life

Dolphins sometimes accompany ‘SEAL1’ and they are seen frolicking in the bay in front of the camp.

A short distance from the safari camp beach is a reef with beautiful soft corals which is home to a resident Nurse Shark, lobsters, Sting-rays, Ghost Pipefish, Lionfish, Octopi and Sea Horses. It’s very good for macro life such a colourful nudibranchs.

Another nearby colourful coral reef in deeper water plays host to schooling Jacks and Trevally, Marble Rays, White Tip, Black Tip and Leopard sharks.

Return to main Sea Kayaking Page