Help Stop Illegal Wildlife Trafficking

Our Wildlife Rapid Rescue Team (WRRT) plays a critical role in safeguarding Cambodia’s most vulnerable wildlife. In 2024, the team had a busy year rescuing animals, investigating the illegal wildlife trade and releasing animals back into their natural habitat.

In 2024, our team:

• Conducted 643 operations
• Rescued 2,120 live animals from the illegal wildlife trade
• Confiscated 293kg of wildlife meat
• Received 3,565 calls to the Wildlife Crime Hotline
• Arrested 85 traffickers caught in the trade of wildlife
• Received 110 reports of illegal wildlife trade via Wildlife Alliance Facebook pages

There were some particularly notable animal rescues last year. In October, our team received reports from informants that a police raid on a Chinese restaurant which led to the arrest of the owner had revealed a live tiger living in a box in the restaurant. Following this report, the WRRT requested to the authorities for permission to inspect the restaurant due to concerns over the poor conditions the tiger was living in. Eventually, the team negotiated with the restaurant managers to donate the tiger to Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre (PTWRC), where it would be rehabilitated and cared for. Today the tiger, named Roy, is thriving at PTWRC and enjoying his new found freedom.

In November, the team were informed that a baby elephant had been abandoned by her herd and was seen wondering near plantations looking malnourished. The WRRT and veterinarians from PTWRC organized a rescue and transported the elephant, named Chanam, to PTWRC to be cared for. Again, in December, the team received information of an injured baby elephant wondering around the forest in Mondulkiri. The 5-month-old baby, now named Lomphat, had fallen victim to a wire snare which led to a very bad injury on her left front leg. A team consisting of Military Police, a veterinarian and the head keeper from PTWRC immediately left and drove all night to rescue her. They delivered her first aid and built a crate for her to be transported to PTWRC, where she arrived the next day. If you would like to read more about Lomphat and her new life at PTWRC, please click here.

 As ever, these rescues would not be possible without your ongoing support of the WRRT and in 2025 we will continue to be a lifeline for Cambodian wildlife. Thank you.

Our Wildlife Rapid Rescue Team (WRRT) plays a critical role in safeguarding Cambodia’s most vulnerable wildlife. In 2024, the team has rescued numerous animals, including those classified as Critically Endangered or Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Each rescue represents a vital step toward the survival of these species, many of which face threats from habitat loss, illegal wildlife trade, and poaching.

This year, our team successfully rescued:

• 17 Sunda pangolins (Critically Endangered): These shy, nocturnal creatures are heavily targeted for their scales and meat, making their rescue especially significant.
• 1 yellow-cheeked gibbon (Endangered): This arboreal primate faces severe threats from deforestation and illegal pet trade.
• 4 silvered langurs (Endangered): Found in Cambodia's forested regions, these gentle leaf-eaters are often victims of poaching.
• 4 pileated gibbons (Endangered): Our team is dedicated to their protection, as their population continues to decline due to habitat destruction and illegal capture.
• 1 hairy-nosed otter (Endangered): As one of the rarest otters in the world, its rescue is a rare and impactful event.
• 1 douc langur (Endangered): A striking and colorful primate, it is highly threatened by poaching and habitat fragmentation.

Each of these animals has been provided with the care and rehabilitation they need. The efforts of the WRRT are an essential lifeline for Cambodia’s wildlife, and we remain steadfast in our mission to combat illegal wildlife trade and protect the country's biodiversity. Your support continues to enable these critical rescues and interventions, protecting Cambodia's precious wildlife. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to our cause.