Help Stop Illegal Wildlife Trafficking

The first few months of 2024 was a whirlwind of action and success for the Wildlife Rapid Rescue Team (WRRT). We carried out a series of high-impact raids, rescues, and releases, disrupting wildlife trafficking networks and saving numerous animals from the illegal trade. Here’s an account of some our most significant operations.

At the beginning of the year, our investigation team spotted a Facebook post about a pangolin found in a trash bin near a house in Phnom Penh. We contacted the finder, who agreed to donate the pangolin. It was promptly collected and brought to Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre (PTWRC) for care. Later in January, a report from the Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries led to a sting operation to rescue two otters. The trader and owner were apprehended, and the otters were brought to PTWRC. The offenders refused to pay a transactional fine, and their case was sent to the provincial court.

On February 6, our team targeted a notorious trader’s house in Koh Kong, previously known as a restaurant. After being out of our radar for a while, a tip-off from an informant revealed that the trader had covertly become a major player in the local wildlife trade. Acting swiftly and just before Chinese New Year—a peak time for wildlife trade—the team, in collaboration with a provincial deputy prosecutor, local government staff, and Military Police, raided the house.

 The results were staggering:

• 293 Live Turtles (280 Asian Leaf Turtles, 7 Asian Box Turtles, 6 Asiatic Softshell Turtles)
• 62 Dead Green Pigeons
• 52 Dead Watercocks
• 10 kg of Wild Pig Meat
• 0.6 kg of Civet Meat
• 0.5 kg of Porcupine Meat

The trader faced hefty fines under two laws, totaling 29,999,650 KH riel ($7,499.91). While all turtles were initially destined for the Fisheries Administration center in Takeo, we secured authorization to release 227 of them back into their natural habitat. The dead animals and bushmeat were destroyed.

Our team didn't rest. The next day saw more action: A baby silver langur, confiscated by WWF rangers in Mondulkiri province, was brought to PTWRC for care.  Also, in February, a foreign NGO worker alerted us about a baby douc langur in a village. Our team retrieved the langur and transported it to PTWRC. In March, in collaboration with Wildlife Conservation Society, we convinced the owner of a juvenile macaque in Mondulkiri province to donate it. The macaque was also brought to PTWRC for rehabilitation.

Your support continues to enable these critical rescues and interventions, protecting Cambodia's precious wildlife. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to our cause.