Help Rangers Protect Endangered Cambodian Wildlife

Over the past few months, your donations supporting the rangers in the Cardamom Mountains have led to the rescue of over 170 live animals from Vulnerable and Critically Endangered species, such as Sambar Deer (Rusa unicolor), Sunda pangolins (Manis javanica), and elongated tortoises (Indotestudo elongata). The environmental protection units in Koh Kong province, Cambodia, demonstrated commendable efforts in combating illegal wildlife activities, resulting in significant rescues, apprehensions, and the confiscation of illegal poaching equipment.

In August, a well-executed early patrol near Phnom Kravanh National Park by the Rangers, despite the suspect's escape, successfully rescued a mountain imperial pigeon, two mouse deer, a mangrove snake, and two unidentified birds ensnared in wildlife traps. This operation underscored the Rangers' unwavering dedication to wildlife preservation.

Also in August, the Sre Ambel Rangers promptly acted on intelligence information and apprehended an offender transporting two Sunda pangolins and an elongated tortoise. Another operation in August led to the discovery an illegal poaching camp with 3 slow boats, 1 chainsaw, 220 wildlife snares and 50 meters of net. 12 Water Dragons and 1 elongated tortoise were rescued alongside a deceased red muntjac.

In September, responding to a concerned villager's plea, the Stung Proat Rangers took in an injured Sambar Deer, highlighting the indispensable role of local communities in conservation efforts. The Sambar Deer population in Southeast Asia has declined by over 50% in the last three decades due to the demand for meat and antlers. Unless addressed, this decline may lead to the complete disappearance of populations outside protected areas, potentially causing a cascade effect on predators, forcing them into starvation or prompting interactions with livestock, thereby escalating human-wildlife conflicts. The Sambar deer was then handed over to Wildlife Alliance’s Wildlife Release Station for further care before reintroducing her back into natural habitat.

The dedicated environmental protection units in Koh Kong province have significantly contributed to wildlife conservation. Through patrols, apprehensions, and collaborative initiatives with local communities, the Rangers have exemplified a steadfast commitment to preserving Cambodia's rich biodiversity. Support from GlobalGiving donors ensures the return of threatened species to their natural habitats by covering rangers’ food, salaries, transportation, and equipment costs. This support enables them to respond effectively to cases like these, whether seizing trafficked animals or assisting local villagers in wildlife encounters. Thank you for your invaluable support!

In the past few months, the rangers in the Cardamom Mountains who your donations support have rescued several live animals from Critically Endangered species, including Siamese crocodiles (Crocodylus siamensis), Sunda pangolins (Manis javanica) and elongated tortoise (Indotestudo elongata). Pangolins have risen to unfortunate prominence in recent years as ‘the most trafficked mammals in the world’ due to demand for their scales and other body parts. Siamese crocodiles, on the other hand, are primarily threatened by human alterations to their habitats, such as aquaculture, dam construction and climate change, and by hunting and trapping. Elongated tortoises face a combination of similar threats including habitat loss and hunting for food, parts and the pet trade.

Siamese crocodiles have been teetering on the brink for decades. Current worldwide population estimates stand at just 1,000 individuals, with approximately 400 in Cambodia, according the Ministry of Environment, which is our partner in the Cardamom Forest Protection Program. With so few left, every single one of these crocodiles is of conservation importance and our ranger patrols both safeguards the species’ most critical habitat and sometimes even help rescue them! In early April, a villager in Chi Phat contacted our Stung Praot Patrol Unit for assistance after he accidentally caught an almost 60-pound (27 kilo) female crocodile in a fishing net. After a health check and consultation with a Siamese crocodile expert, rangers moved her to a bigger stream and released her back into natural habitat. The good news is that local villagers and wildlife experts report seeing crocodiles of her kind many times recently in this area, where they move around a lot during the rainy season. In late-April, Ministry of Environment rangers also collaborated with community members who rescued a baby Siamese crocodile in Sre Ambel District of Koh Kong Province. The baby crocodile was released into natural habitat.

In early August, our Sre Ambel Patrol Unit stopped an offender who was transporting one live elongated tortoise and two live pangolins by motorbike. The offender was arrested under Article 61.5 of the Protected Area Law. Because these species are Critically Endangered, catching and taking them from their original habitat classifies as an offence of the third grade, and he was sent to Koh Kong Prison. The tortoise and pangolins were released.

Donations from GlobalGiving supporters like you help ensure threatened species are returned to their natural habitats by paying rangers’ food, salaries, transportation and equipment costs so they can respond to cases like these, whether seizing animals being trafficked out of protected areas or assisting local villagers who want to help wildlife they encounter. Thank you so much for your support!