Kaeng Krachan: Photos of a pack of wild dogs in the Kaeng Krachan National Park area have surfaced, revealing an extraordinary sight-four of the dogs have pink fur. Urgent research is being conducted to understand this unusual phenomenon.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Mongkol Chaiyaphakdi, Chief of Kaeng Krachan National Park, reported that the images were captured by wildlife camera traps installed for research purposes by the park's Study and Research Division and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Thailand. The cameras, placed at various locations including Km. 3 of the road from the Sam Yot checkpoint to Ban Krang, Huai Khom Krit, and Ban Krang, recorded the wild dogs as they hunted deer for food. Remarkably, one of the dogs displayed light-colored fur, appearing pink, rather than the typical reddish-brown seen in Thai wild dogs.
The discovery prompted further investigation, leading to the installation of additional cameras. Subsequently, images of three more pink-furred dogs were captured, bringing the total to four. These dogs were identified as coming from different packs, enhancing the peculiarity of the finding.
The park authorities, along with researchers, are currently studying the phenomenon to determine if the pink coloration is due to a genetic mutation or other factors. Initial analysis suggests that the dogs do not exhibit any signs of skin disease, and there is speculation that the color could be due to a genetic pigment variation or albinism. The possibility of inbreeding causing the color change has been ruled out, as the Kaeng Krachan World Heritage Forest is a vast area connected to several other forests, which minimizes the likelihood of inbreeding. Further research is ongoing to gain more insight into this rare occurrence.