This is the amusing moment a wild tiger sniffed a camera in a wildlife sanctuary in Thailand.

Footage shows the curious striped predator inspecting the recording device up close in the Kaeng Krachan National Park in Phetchaburi on April 21.

Mongkol Chaiyapakdee, chief of Kaeng Krachan National Park, said the camera traps were installed to observe and track the movements of wild animals in the Phetchaburi watershed area.

He said this adult male tiger was captured in four photos and two videos taken in the upper Phetchaburi River.

He said: 'We initially identified this tiger as specimen KKT-004.

'However, after sending the footage to researchers at the Khao Nang Rum Wildlife Research Station and the Wildlife Conservation Society to compile in the database, we found out that it was a completely new tiger we had never seen before.

'The distinguishing feature was the black stripes on its right shoulder, which did not match KKT-004's coat pattern. 

'The new tiger will be identified as KKT-006M.

'It is believed the tiger population is increasing along with the population of its prey such as muntjacs, deer, buffaloes, and boars.'

Mongkol said there wre currently six known tigers roaming the Kaeng Krachan National Park. Two were male, two were female, and two still had undetermined sexes. Authorities said they were planning to install more camera traps to increase surveillance coverage.

There are approximately 148 to 189 mature tigers in Thailand, with signs that the population is increasing in Thailand's Western Forest Complex.

Tigers are protected animals according to the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act of Thailand. 

They are classified as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List and are listed under Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.