BirdLife Cambodia releases its 2018 report on bird conservation efforts in Cambodia

In May 2016, the organization BirdLife Cambodia secured official protection status from the Cambodian government for the Siem Pang area and its adjoining forest, known as Siem Pang Kang Lech. The goal is to preserve these sites and reintroduce endangered animal species to ensure their long-term survival. On January 1st, the NGO published its 2018 annual report on the progress made in these two protected areas. Located near the Laotian border in Cambodia’s Stung Treng province, these two sanctuaries play a critical role in preserving both local and endangered plant and animal species. They are governed by strict conservation measures designed to ensure long-term protection. Human presence is a key component of this preservation process. BirdLife Cambodia has now been active in the region for over two and a half years. “The western forest of Siem Pang is one of the world’s most important natural forest areas for biodiversity conservation, particularly for endangered wildlife species,” explains Sophea Chea, a BirdLife Cambodia member, on the organization’s Facebook page. The NGO works on-site to safeguard critically endangered birds such as the white-shouldered ibis, the giant ibis, the red-headed vulture, the slender-billed vulture, and the white-rumped vulture.

(A giant ibis nest in the Siem Pang zone. ©Facebook BirdLife Cambodia)

A revitalized biodiversity

BirdLife Cambodia recently released its findings from the past year of conservation in the Siem Pang sanctuaries. Their teams were thrilled to discover 17 chicks across 12 of the 16 known giant ibis nests. Researchers also found nine slender-billed vulture nests and two red-headed vulture nests. In addition, on October 15, they recorded a total of 320 white-shouldered ibis individuals. These results highlight the value of protected zones in a country where poaching remains a persistent threat.

(A red-headed vulture in the Siem Pang zone. ©Facebook BirdLife Cambodia)

Thibault Bourru