Just five out of 100 children recognise the name Seub Nakhasathien, according to an estimate. However, the late conservationist remains well known among people older than 30.
"Another five per cent of children say they have heard his name somewhere - but can't associate him with anything," Seub Nakhasathien Foundation secretary general Sasin Chalermlarp said yesterday.
He was speaking about his direct meetings with various groups of children.
According to Sasin, about two per cent of children know Seub committed suicide on September 1, 1990 in his assigned accommodation unit in the Huay Kha Kaeng Wildlife Sanctuary.
Seub was serving as the sanctuary's chief at the time.
He killed himself in a bid to bring public attention to forest encroachment, illegal hunting and logging.
"People younger than 30 don't seem to know Seub. He's not their contemporary," Sasin said.
Such findings emerged even though the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation hold an event at the Huay Kha Kaeng Foundation - located in Uthai Thani- to commemorate Seub's passing on September 1 every year.
Chatchawal Pisdamkham, who heads the department's Wildlife Protection Division, said the number of wild animals in the Huai Kha Kaeng Wildlife Sanctuary had increased recently.
"Now, we are calling on locals not to hunt the wildlife," he added.