By Sheena Thiruselvan | Commuicantions Associate
Last month, the Trapeang Rung Patrol Unit received information from an informant about the trafficking of a leopard cat kitten. The traders were seen leaving Koh Kong Town in a Toyota Camry with the kitten and were heading towards Phnom Penh. The rangers left immediately to intercept the vehicle at a nearby checkpoint on Highway 48. After several cars were cleared, the Camry finally pulled up and a thorough search of the vehicle was conducted. Unfortunately, no wildlife was found and the suspect was free to go. Realizing the trader must have disposed of the kitten when he saw the rangers at the checkpoint, the team decided to spread out and search for the animal. After several hours, the rangers found the poor kitten, trapped in a box and hidden in the forest near the main road. The next day, the kitten was transferred to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Station near Chi Phat to be cared for and rehabilitated for possible future release.
Leopard cats are frequently traded for their fur, meat and as pets. While the suspect in this case could not be arrested, if it were not for the intervention of the Forest Protection team, this kitten would have suffered an unconscionable fate. So far this year, the rangers have rescued 388 animals and removed about 17,000 animal traps from the forest. Their ability to utilize an effective informant network, conduct vehicle checkpoints and patrol the forest for criminal activity has made the Southern Cardamom Mountains one of the best-protected rainforests in Southeast Asia. However, protecting 2 million acres of forest in a developing country like Cambodia, where funds towards environmental protection are limited, can be extremely challenging. Our ability to strengthen frontline protection, provide rangers with specialized training and drive down forest crime would not be possible without your support.
Help our Forest Protection Program continue to rescue animals and protect the Southern Cardamoms by making a gift to forest protection today!
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