Empower Rural Communities and Help Protect Forests

The ultimate goal for every animal under our care is reintroduction back into the wild. Hundreds of animals have been rehabilitated at our Wildlife Rehabilitation Station inside the protected forest of the Southern Cardamoms. Here, the animals are kept in large forested enclosures and provided with expert care until they are ready to be released into the wild. The program has seen remarkable success, but as the forested area has become increasingly populated with native species, it has also become increasingly targeted by poachers. To address this vulnerability, community rangers from the nearby village of Chi Phat have been recruited to provide additional protection. Groups of 3-4 rangers patrol the forest for 5-6 days at a time, removing snares and deterring wildlife traffickers. Managed by the Community-Based Ecotourism Project in Chi Phat, the Community Ranger program serves as an extra layer of protection for current and future wildlife in the area, while generating additional employment opportunities for local villagers. The program has also helped villagers find value in the protection of their natural heritage, not only as it directly supports their families, but as it bolsters the ecotourism program as a whole, bringing more tourists and more income to the community.

Release is futile if we cannot ensure the animals are given the best chance at survival. At only $105 a patrol, the added protection these rangers provide is invaluable. This year, rangers have gone on 14 patrols, collected 469 snares and removed 100 meters (328 feet) of netting. We only have one team currently making patrols, however two teams in the forest would provide the critical protection needed. Make a gift to help our Community Ranger program run at full capacity. Your gift will allow us to conduct wildlife releases with more confidence and consequently expand the number of animals and variety of species being released at our Wildlife Rehabilitation Station.