Raise Awareness to Protect Wildlife in Cambodia

On June 16, the Kouprey Express Mobile Environmental Education Unit (KE) was headed to Mondulkiri at the invitation of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to conduct wildlife lessons. While on their way, the team stopped for lunch where they spotted an Asian palm civet being kept in a small cage. The team approached the owner of the restaurant about the civet, and he admitted to keeping it as a pet. Concerned about the safety of the animal, they explained to the owner who they were and what they do. They then encouraged him to give the civet to the team, who would then give it to the Wildlife Rapid Rescue Team (WRRT) to be taken to Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Center for care. The owner at first refused, but the team was persistent and explained to him that it was illegal to keep the animal and it was also likely the civet would die in its current conditions. This persuaded the owner and he was happy to hand over the animal. The team thanked him for doing the right thing and gave him two t-shirts, five animal posters, and a hotline sticker to encourage him to report wildlife crimes, and reward him for donating the civet to the team. Furthermore, he promised to educate other villagers in the area about wildlife protection!

While rescuing animals is out of Kouprey’s project scope, the team felt it was an urgent matter that could not wait for the WRRT to come back a few days later, in case the civet was not actually a pet and was there for sale or trade. This incident also demonstrates the importance of the Kouprey Express’s role in educating citizens about wildlife, and the existing need for increased awareness in rural communities about wildlife related laws. Help the Kouprey Express make a difference through education and awareness by making a gift today!

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