Help Stop Illegal Wildlife Trafficking

October 18, 2019 - morning

Our wildlife trafficking team, the Wildlife Rapid Rescue Team (WRRT), rescued a badly injured sun bear cub, missing a paw, in Steung Treng province, in the northeast of Cambodia. After receiving a tip off, they left yesterday evening and drove all night to rescue the injured cub, finally rescuing it this morning.
They are now safely on their long way back to Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre, where they will hand it over to Free the Bears for further care. 

October 18, 2019 - evening

The Wildlife Rapid Rescue Team (WRRT) successfully arrived at Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Center (PTWRC) where the bear will be treated by Free the Bears. The tiny sun bear weighs just 5 kg (11 lbs) immediately received veterinary care for her horrific snare injury that has severed her paw.

October 25, 2019 update

X-rays revealed that an infection from the snare injury spread to the bones remaining in her paw, requiring partial amputation. After surgery, she is doing well. Her stitches are secure, she does not have much swelling, and she is growing stronger and feistier, a good sign! Follow Free the Bears for further updates on this bear’s recovery as they care for her at Phnom Tamao.

Last month, Cambodia’s Economic Police intercepted a truck illegally transporting wildlife, including 57 monitor lizards and 50 yellow-headed temple turtles, which are Critically Endangered. Turtles are some of the most trafficked animals in Southeast Asia, largely for traditional medicine and meat and is driving many species towards extinction. Upon confiscating the wildlife, the Economic Police called the Wildlife Rapid Rescue Team (WRRT) to handle and release the reptiles.

The Wildlife Rapid Rescue Team has been Cambodia’s only law enforcement dedicated to countering wildlife crime since 2001 and while they have been very effective – having rescued nearly 75,000 animals from the wildlife trade – they are a small team with a nation-wide mandate. Getting calls like the one from the Economic Police are always welcome as it is a positive indicator that wildlife crimes are being taken more seriously and our efforts to collaborate with other law enforcement units has been effective.

The WRRT brought the water monitors to the Cardamom Rainforest Landscape where they were released with one of our ranger teams. The yellow-headed temple turtles, which are nearing extinction, were brought to and released in Tonle Sap Lake in collaboration with Fisheries Administration officers.

Your support of the WRRT has enabled us to shift attitudes towards taking wildlife trafficking as a serious crime throughout Cambodia.