Wildlife Index
Species we’ve encountered, photographed and filmed throughout our travels.
OUR GEAR
We shoot our wildlife photography and film on the Fujifilm X-S20, paired with a 70–300mm lens.
OUR APPROACH
We photograph animals in the wild or at genuinely ethical sanctuaries where their welfare comes first. We never encourage unnecessary interaction, feeding or handling for a photograph.
WHY WE DO IT
We believe photography can help people connect with wildlife and understand why protecting species and their habitats matters.
ASIAN ELEPHANT
Elephas Maximus
STATUS
Endangered
POPULATION
~40,000-50,000
FILMED IN
Krabi, Thailand
ABOUT
The Asian elephant is the largest land mammal in Asia, recognisable by its smaller rounded ears, domed head and rounded back. Highly social and intelligent, they live in close-knit family herds led by females, communicating through vocalisations, body language and low-frequency calls. Their diet consists mainly of grasses, leaves, bark, roots and fruit, with adults consuming large quantities of vegetation each day. Asian elephants can live for around 60–70 years and are known for their remarkable memory, complex social relationships and strong emotional bonds.
HABITAT & RANGE
Tropical & subtropical forests, grasslands and wetlands across South & Southeast Asia.
THREATS
HABITAT
Deforestation, urban expansion
HUMAN-WILDLIFE CONFLICT
Crop raiding, habitat overlap
POACHING
Ivory trade, illegal killings
CLIMATE CHANGE
Habitat degradation, extreme weather
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Support conservation projects and ethical wildlife tourism that protect elephants and their habitats. Avoid venues that allow riding, washing, touching or feeding elephants, even when they are marketed as “sanctuaries” or “rescue centres”. Do your research before visiting and choose experiences that allow elephants to behave naturally, with minimal human interference.
RED-SHANKED DOUC LANGUR
Pygathrix Nemaeus
STATUS
Endangered
POPULATION
Unknown
FILMED IN
Son Tra, Vietnam
ABOUT
The red-shanked douc langur is one of the world’s most distinctive primates, recognisable by its golden face, white beard, grey body, white forearms and striking red-orange legs. Highly social and almost entirely arboreal, they spend most of their lives in the forest canopy, travelling and feeding in groups. Their diet consists mainly of young leaves, supplemented by fruit, flowers, buds and seeds. They are diurnal and communicate through a complex combination of calls, facial expressions, grooming and body language.
HABITAT & RANGE
Tropical and subtropical evergreen and semi-evergreen forests across Vietnam, Laos and northern Cambodia, including forests associated with limestone landscapes.
THREATS
HABITAT LOSS
Logging, agriculture & infrastructure
HUNTING
Food, traditional medicine & wildlife trade
ILLEGAL PET TRADE
Capture of wild individuals
HABITAT FRAGMENTATION
Isolated populations & reduced connectivity
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Support conservation projects and ethical wildlife tourism that protect elephants and their habitats. Avoid venues that allow riding, washing, touching or feeding elephants, even when they are marketed as “sanctuaries” or “rescue centres”. Do your research before visiting and choose experiences that allow elephants to behave naturally, with minimal human interference.
GREAT HORNBILL
Buceros Bicornis
STATUS
Vulnerable
POPULATION
~13,000–27,000
FILMED IN
Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia
ABOUT
The Great Hornbill is one of Asia’s largest hornbills, recognisable by its striking black-and-white plumage, enormous yellow-and-black bill and prominent casque. Usually seen in pairs or small groups, it spends much of its life in the forest canopy and feeds mainly on fruit, particularly figs, while also taking insects, reptiles and small vertebrates. Great Hornbills form long-term pairs and have a remarkable nesting behaviour, with the female sealing herself inside a natural tree cavity while the male provides food through a narrow opening. As an important seed disperser, the species plays a vital role in the regeneration of tropical forests.
HABITAT & RANGE
Tropical and subtropical forests across South and Southeast Asia, from India and the Himalayan foothills through mainland Southeast Asia to Malaysia and Sumatra. They depend on mature forests with large trees for nesting.
THREATS
HABITAT LOSS
Logging, agriculture & infrastructure
HUNTING
Poaching for meat, feathers & casque
LOSS OF NESTING TREES
Removal of large, mature trees
HABITAT FRAGMENTATION
Forest clearance & isolated populations
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Support conservation projects that protect remaining forests and the large trees Great Hornbills need for nesting. Choose responsible wildlife experiences that allow hornbills to remain wild and undisturbed, and support organisations working to protect their forest habitat and reduce hunting pressure.
LONG-TAILED MACAQUE
Macaca Fascicularis
STATUS
Endangered
POPULATION
Unknown
FILMED IN
Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia
ABOUT
The long-tailed macaque is a highly adaptable primate recognised by its long tail, brown-grey coat and expressive face. Social and intelligent, they live in groups and communicate through vocalisations, facial expressions and body language. They are opportunistic feeders, eating fruit, seeds, leaves, insects and other small animals. Although strongly associated with forests and wetlands, they can also adapt to human-altered environments such as agricultural areas, temples and settlements.
HABITAT & RANGE
Tropical forests, mangroves and wetlands across South and Southeast Asia, from Myanmar and Thailand to Indonesia, the Philippines and Timor-Leste.
THREATS
HABITAT LOSS
Deforestation, development & fragmentation
HUNTING & CAPTURE
Hunting, trapping & wildlife trade
HUMAN–MACAQUE CONFLICT
Culling, persecution & conflict
RESEARCH TRADE
Capture for biomedical research
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Support conservation projects that protect natural habitats and reduce hunting and persecution. When visiting areas where macaques live, avoid feeding or encouraging close human interaction, and choose responsible wildlife experiences that allow them to behave naturally.
SIAMESE CROCODILE
Crocodylus siamensis
STATUS
Endangered
POPULATION
<1,000 mature individuals
FILMED IN
Cat Tien, Vietnam
ABOUT
The Siamese crocodile is a relatively small freshwater crocodilian, reaching around three metres in length. It has a broad snout, raised bony ridges behind the eyes and a generally olive-green to dark-brown colouration. They live mainly in slow-moving rivers, lakes, marshes and swamps, feeding on fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and small mammals. Once widespread across mainland Southeast Asia, the species has suffered a dramatic decline and is now restricted to small, fragmented populations.
HABITAT & RANGE
Slow-moving rivers, lakes, marshes and swamps across parts of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia, although its former range has been greatly reduced.
THREATS
HABITAT LOSS
Deforestation, dams & wetland conversion
ILLEGAL HUNTING
Capture of adults, juveniles & eggs
FISHING GEAR
Incidental capture & drowning
SMALL POPULATIONS
Fragmentation & loss of genetic diversity
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Support conservation projects that protect freshwater habitats and wild breeding populations. Avoid supporting the illegal wildlife trade and choose responsible wildlife experiences that allow crocodiles to remain wild and undisturbed.
BINTURONG
Arctictis binturong
STATUS
Vulnerable
POPULATION
Unknown
FILMED IN
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
ABOUT
The binturong, also known as the bearcat, is a distinctive arboreal mammal with shaggy black fur, a long prehensile tail and a powerful sense of smell. Mostly nocturnal, they spend much of their lives in the forest canopy, moving slowly between trees in search of fruit, leaves, insects and small animals. Binturongs are particularly important seed dispersers, helping regenerate tropical forests through the seeds they carry and disperse after eating fruit.
HABITAT & RANGE
Tropical and subtropical forests across South and Southeast Asia, from India and Bangladesh through mainland Southeast Asia to Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines.
THREATS
HABITAT LOSS
Deforestation, logging & forest conversion
WILDLIFE TRADE
Capture for pets, traditional medicine & trade
HUNTING & SNARING
Indiscriminate trapping & bushmeat hunting
HABITAT FRAGMENTATION
Forest clearance & isolated populations
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Support conservation projects that protect tropical forests and reduce wildlife trafficking and indiscriminate snaring. Avoid purchasing products made from wild animals and choose responsible wildlife experiences that allow binturongs to remain wild and undisturbed.
YELLOW-CHEEKED GIBBON
Nomascus Gabriellae
STATUS
Endangered
POPULATION
Unknown
FILMED IN
Cuc Phong, Vietnam
ABOUT
The yellow-cheeked gibbon is a highly agile primate recognised by its long arms, black fur and distinctive golden cheek patches. They spend almost their entire lives in the forest canopy, moving between trees by swinging from branch to branch. Highly social, they usually live in small family groups and communicate through loud, complex songs that can carry long distances through the forest. Their diet consists mainly of fruit and leaves, supplemented by flowers and insects.
HABITAT & RANGE
Tropical evergreen forests of southern Vietnam, eastern Cambodia and southern Laos, where they depend on mature forest canopy for food, movement and shelter.
THREATS
HABITAT LOSS
Deforestation, agriculture & development
HUNTING
Hunting for meat & traditional medicine
ILLEGAL PET TRADE
Capture of wild individuals
HABITAT FRAGMENTATION
Forest clearance & isolated populations
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Support conservation projects that protect remaining forests and wild gibbon populations. Avoid purchasing or supporting the trade in wild-caught primates, and choose ethical wildlife experiences that allow gibbons to remain wild and undisturbed.
WATER MONITOR
Varanus salvator
STATUS
Least Concern
POPULATION
Unknown
FILMED IN
Thailand
ABOUT
The water monitor is one of Asia’s largest lizards, recognised by its long muscular body, powerful tail and dark, patterned scales. Highly adaptable and semi-aquatic, they are excellent swimmers and are commonly found around rivers, lakes, wetlands, mangroves and other waterways. They are opportunistic predators and scavengers, feeding on fish, frogs, birds, insects, eggs, carrion and other small animals.
HABITAT & RANGE
Rivers, wetlands, mangroves, forests and urban waterways across South and Southeast Asia, from India and Sri Lanka through mainland Southeast Asia to Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines.
THREATS
WILDLIFE TRADE
Skins, meat & live animal trade
HABITAT LOSS
Wetland destruction & development
HUNTING
Capture for meat & traditional uses
HUMAN-WILDLIFE CONFLICT
Persecution around urban waterways
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Support the protection of wetlands and natural waterways where water monitors live. Avoid purchasing products made from monitor lizard skins and choose responsible wildlife experiences that allow these animals to remain wild and undisturbed.
ASIATIC BLACK BEAR
Ursus Thibetanus
STATUS
Vulnerable
POPULATION
Unknown
FILMED IN
Laos
ABOUT
The Asiatic black bear, also known as the moon bear, is recognisable by its thick black coat and distinctive pale chest marking. They are primarily forest-dwelling and feed on fruit, nuts, insects, plants and small animals. For centuries, their gallbladders and bile have been used in traditional Asian medicine, making them a major target of hunting and the illegal wildlife trade. Today, habitat loss, poaching and bear bile farming continue to threaten wild populations, making their protection increasingly important.
HABITAT & RANGE
Forests across South, East and Southeast Asia, from the Himalayas and India through China and mainland Southeast Asia to Korea, Japan and the Russian Far East.
THREATS
POACHING
Illegal killing & wildlife trade
HABITAT LOSS
Deforestation, development & fragmentation
BEAR BILE TRADE
Capture for bile extraction
HUMAN-BEAR CONFLICT
Crop raiding, livestock & persecution
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Support organisations working to protect bear habitat, reduce poaching and rescue bears from the illegal wildlife trade. Avoid products containing bear parts or bile and choose wildlife experiences that allow bears to remain wild and undisturbed.
SPOTTED DEAR
Axis Axis
STATUS
Least Concern
POPULATION
Unknown
FILMED IN
Cuc Phong, Vietnam
ABOUT
The spotted deer, also known as the chital, is a distinctive deer recognised by its rich reddish-brown coat covered in white spots, which remain throughout its life. Highly social, they live in herds ranging from a few individuals to more than 100, often grazing in open grasslands and woodland clearings. Their diet consists mainly of grasses, supplemented by leaves, flowers and fallen fruit.
HABITAT & RANGE
Dry and moist forests, grasslands, woodland clearings and wetlands across the Indian subcontinent, including India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. They are particularly associated with areas where open grassland meets forest, providing both food and cover.
THREATS
HUMAN-WILDLIFE CONFLICT
Crop damage & competition for resources
HABITAT LOSS
Deforestation, agriculture & development
BEAR BILE TRADE
Meat, antlers & illegal hunting
HABITAT FRAGMENTATION
Forest clearance & isolated populations
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Support conservation projects that protect forests, grasslands and wetlands where spotted deer live. Choose responsible wildlife experiences that allow deer to behave naturally and avoid feeding or approaching wild animals.
LITTLE EGRET
Egretta garzetta
STATUS
Least Concern
POPULATION
Unknown
FILMED IN
Bangkok, Thailand
ABOUT
The little egret is a small, elegant heron recognised by its bright white plumage, slender black bill, dark legs and distinctive yellow feet. They are skilled hunters, often stalking through shallow water and using their feet to disturb prey before striking with remarkable speed. Their diet includes fish, amphibians, insects and other small aquatic animals. During the breeding season, adults develop delicate white plumes on the head, back and chest.
HABITAT & RANGE
Freshwater wetlands, rivers, lakes, marshes, mangroves and coastal mudflats across Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia, with many populations living year-round in warmer regions. Northern populations can migrate seasonally to warmer areas.
THREATS
DISTURBANCE
Human activity around feeding & nesting sites
HABITAT LOSS
Wetland drainage, development & degradation
HUNTING
Illegal hunting & historical plume trade
POLLUTION
Water contamination & agricultural runoff
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Support organisations working to protect wetlands, waterways and important bird habitats around the world. Protecting healthy wetland ecosystems benefits Little Egrets alongside many other species that depend on these habitats.
ALPINE MARMOT
Marmota marmota
STATUS
Least Concern
POPULATION
Unknown
FILMED IN
Großglockner, Austria
ABOUT
The Alpine marmot is a large ground-dwelling squirrel recognised by its stocky body, small ears, thick brown-grey fur and bushy tail. Highly social, they live in family groups and spend much of their time grazing on alpine vegetation around their burrows. When threatened, marmots give a distinctive high-pitched whistle to warn others nearby. They spend the winter hibernating underground, emerging again in spring as the snow melts.
HABITAT & RANGE
High-altitude alpine meadows, rocky slopes and grasslands across the Alps, Carpathians, Tatra Mountains and northern Apennines, with introduced populations also established in parts of the Pyrenees. They are generally found above the tree line, where open grassland provides food and suitable ground for their burrows.
THREATS
HABITAT CHANGE
Climate change, vegetation shifts & development
HUMAN DISTURBANCE
Tourism, roads & recreational activity
HUNTING
Legal hunting in parts of their range
PREDATION
Golden eagles, foxes & other natural predators
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Respect marmots and their alpine habitat by keeping your distance and never feeding them. Support protected mountain landscapes and responsible wildlife tourism that allows animals to forage, communicate and behave naturally without human interference.