From April 26–29, 2024, the city of Hat Yai joined over 800 cities worldwide in the City Nature Challenge (CNC2024) — a global initiative aimed at engaging the public in documenting urban biodiversity through citizen science. This annual event empowers everyday people to become nature observers, using platforms like iNaturalist to record the species they encounter in their cities, backyards, and parks.
This year, Hat Yai City, led by PSU staff, contributed remarkably, with 1,805 wildlife observations and 634 species recorded by 24 participants — reinforcing the value of grassroots biodiversity monitoring even in rapidly developing urban spaces.
Among the most frequently recorded species in Hat Yai were the Asian Openbill, Southern Green Crested Lizard, Long-tailed Macaque, Crested Myna, and Greater Short-nosed Fruit Bat — all species that have adapted to urban or peri-urban environments. More significantly, the effort led to the documentation of 15 species listed as threatened, including rare sightings of the Black Giant Squirrel, Oriental Darter, and Crested Goshawk — species not commonly seen in the city, highlighting the richness and fragility of local ecosystems.
Beyond numbers, the CNC2024 in Hat Yai reflected a growing awareness of urban nature and the important role that local communities play in monitoring, valuing, and protecting biodiversity. Events like these not only generate valuable data but also deepen the public’s connection to nature — a crucial step toward long-term conservation in rapidly urbanising areas.
