Kayah Karen & Tenasserim Ecoregion

Extensive forests running down the spine of the Tenasserim mountain range, well protected in Thailand, but a shrinking tract of wilderness in Myanmar. These forests support large populations of a number of endangered large mammal species in Asia.

Species
Among the mammals are tiger (Panthera tigris), Asian elephant (Elephas maximus). Fea’s muntjac (Muntiacus feae) is endemic in the ecoregion; three wild cattle species gaur (Bos gaurus), banteng (Bos javanicus), and wild water buffalo (Bubalus arnee).

Two of the globally threatened bird species are green peafowl (Pavo muticus) and Rufous-necked hornbill (Lophura diardi). Siamese crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis) also survives.

Threats
Much of the forest remaining in Myanmar remains unprotected and is vulnerable to logging and clearance for agriculture.

Intensive hunting of wildlife occurs in both Myanmar and Thailand. Unsustainable harvesting of non-timber forest products is prevalent throughout the ecoregion. Some areas have been subjected to seasonal forest fires, the impacts of which are unclear.

Dams have been proposed in a number of localities, more recently on the Salween River.