Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary

Infobox_protected_area | name = Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary
iucn_category = IV


caption =
locator_x =
locator_y =
location = Thailand
nearest_city = Loei
lat_degrees = 17
lat_minutes = 7
lat_seconds = 16
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 101
long_minutes = 32
long_seconds = 48
long_direction = E
area = 896.95 km²
established = December 18 1974
visitation_num =
visitation_year =
governing_body = Wildlife Conservation Division

Phu Luang ( _th. ภูหลวง) 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. [ [http://www.chaipat.or.th/chaipat/journal/aug01/e3.html "Elephant and Men in Phu Luang"] , Chaipattana Journal, August 2001.]

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.

ources

* [http://www.dnp.go.th/p_wildlife/Sanctuarywave/Datasanisbn/Phu-lhaung.pdf Forestry department] (Thai only)
*Royal Gazette entries for Phu Luang:
** [http://www.dnp.go.th/p_wildlife/Sanctuarywave/Phuluan1.pdf Issue 91, Part 216 (December 18 1974)]
** [http://www.dnp.go.th/p_wildlife/Sanctuarywave/Phuluan2.pdf Issue 102, Part 134 (September 26 1985)]