Khao Phra Thaeo Park occupies almost the entire northeastern part of Phuket Island and is a national park with nature reserve functions. This park is known for its beautiful waterfalls - Bang Pae, Ton Sai and Kathu, near which Thai people love to have picnics and swim in cool freshwater lakes.
In some places, the nature of Khao Phra Thaeo Park remains the same as it was centuries ago. Great attention is paid to preserving pristine forests, endangered species of trees and grasses, including unique palms and ferns. Representatives of the local exotic fauna find protection and all the conditions for reproduction in the reserve. Malayan flying lemurs and giant black-and-orange squirrels live here, along with dozens of rare species of bright tropical birds.
The National Park also has a gibbon rehabilitation center. The monkeys here are not treated for alcoholism, as one might think upon hearing the name of the institution. The center's goal is to return to "normal life" gibbons that were once kept as pets but were abandoned by their owners, or animals that previously took part in shows.
By using gibbons in shows and tourist entertainment, local residents have driven this species to the brink of extinction. Here the animals are taught again to live in the wild, communicate with others of their kind, and not depend on humans. After rehabilitation, the monkeys are released into the wild in one of the remote areas of the park. Scientists hope that the gibbons and other rare animals will repopulate the protected jungles and restore the balance of nature lost with the arrival of civilization.
