Help Care for Rescued Animals in Cambodia

This month we welcomed a new baby Pileated gibbon to the Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Center (PTWRC). He joins several other babies born as part of the gibbon rehabilitation program, which works to rebuild the gibbon population in the wild. Known for the impressive tree swinging and complex vocalizations, gibbons are spectacular primates to observe in the wild. However, due to extensive hunting and habitat loss these magnificent creatures have been listed as Endangered by the IUCN.

Owing to their high demand in the wildlife trade, the Wildlife Rapid Rescue Team (WRRT) often rescues gibbons from wildlife poachers that sell them as pets or tourist attractions in bars and hotels. We also receive many donations of gibbons that have been torn away from their mothers as infants and are kept as pets until owners realize they cannot control these wild animals. In attempts to change the animal’s natural behavior, these gibbons are often mistreated and confined to small areas. Caretakers at the PTWRC work hard to rehabilitate the animals, and house them in spacious enclosures to facilitate natural behavior.  These large, natural enclosures enable the process of de-humanization in order to make them suitable for reintroduction into the wild. This program has been largely successful in rehabilitating the gibbons, unfortunately finding suitable habitats for their release has proved to be more challenging. Gibbons by nature are highly territorial, with a home range of about 75 acres. They mate for life and live in small families composed of only the mated pair and a few of their offspring. Due to the widespread habitat destruction and competing gibbon families in available protected land, finding suitable release location has been difficult.  

Through outreach and education Wildlife Alliance is working to raise awareness about the dangers of keeping primates as pets and continued habitat destruction. Help us continue to rescue and care for these graceful primates, as well as provide them with the adequate space and rehabilitation they require. 

On the evening of September 22nd, Wildlife Alliance’s Wildlife Rapid Rescue Team (WRRT) received information that a young gaur had been snared in the forest near the small village of Ro Leark in the Chloung District in Kratie province, located northeast of Phnom Penh.  The animal’s mother was hovering close by, protecting her child, but making rescue dangerous and difficult.  Gaurs are the largest species of wild cattle, incredibly strong with large horns on their head, and have been known to be quite bold.  However, with few options of how to handle the situation, two members of the WRRT – along with Wildlife Alliance Wildlife Programs Director Nick Marx – headed off towards Kratie first thing the next morning.

Driving fast, the three reached Kratie in less than four hours – a seemingly impossible task.  They then traveled through miles of plantations and cleared forest until they arrived in Ro Leark.  From there they continued by ox cart for 45 minutes until reaching the location of the young, snared gaur.  Forestry Administration rangers had slept nearby the night before to protect the gaur, a 4 or 5 year old female.  By that point, the mother had abandoned her.  The gaur was exhausted but lucky, as the snare had not tightened completely around her leg.  She was lying down, with a few small injuries caused by her struggle to escape, but the snared limbed was uninjured and she needed little medical care.  After removing the snare from her leg and helping her to sit up, Nick offered her water and she drank, slowly regaining her strength.  Over the course of several hours, Nick continued to provide water, grass and cassava leaves.  She ate very little, but began to forage on the forest leaves around her.  She began to be troubled by the prolonged human presence and seeing as she had regained her strength and mobility, the team felt comfortable leaving her there and returned the village.

Upon return to Ro Leark, guards were found who were willing to monitor the gaur in the forest overnight and Forestry Administration officials in the village also agreed to ensure the animal’s continued safety.  The team from Wildlife Alliance stayed in the village overnight in case there were any further issues.  By the next morning, the team received information that the gaur had disappeared into the forest and so with a successful rescue completed, the team returned to Phnom Penh.