A "miraculous" new breeding population of a critically endangered tiger species has been found in a jungle in Thailand.

Conservationists captured footage of six cubs among a group of Indochinese tigers, confirming the presence of what is only the world's second known breeding population of the species.

Indochinese tigers were once found widely across Asia, but now just 221 are estimated to remain in Thailand and Myanmar.

Thailand's department of parks and wildlife said the breeding population found in Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai had "remarkable resilience given wildlife poaching and illegal rosewood logging".

Image: Six cubs were spotted among the group

Footage from 156 camera traps set up around the jungle showed the cubs walking around with female Indochinese tigers.


The study was set up with the help of Freeland, an organisation fighting human and animal trafficking, and Panthera, a wild cat conservation group.

Panthera director John Goodrich said the discovery was "nothing short of miraculous".

The conservation group's CEO, Alan Rabinowitz, added: "The Thai forestry department proved that with protection you can not only bring tigers back, but now the western forest complex, specifically Huai Kha Khaeng, is a global model of tiger conservation.

Image: Dozens of cameras were placed across the jungle in eastern Thailand

"It is one of the best protected and best tiger areas left in the world."

Conservationists say aggressive poaching and the loss of habitats has caused the steep decline in the number of Indochinese tigers.

Thai authorities attributed the sighting of a new breeding population with its increase in counter-poaching operations.

Freeland chairman Kraisak Choonhavan said: "It's crucial to continue the great progress made by the Thai government to bolster protection for tigers at the frontlines.

"As long as the illegal trade in tigers continues, they will need protection."