Miraculous rediscovery of a critically endangered species in Cambodia

The Cambodian scientific journal Cambodian Journal of Natural History, established in 2008 by the Royal University of Phnom Penh to assist Khmer scientists in sharing their discoveries and improving their writing skills, recently published an astonishing news item that has generated considerable attention in the Cambodian press. The Bertia cambojiensis, a giant snail critically endangered and once thought extinct in Cambodia, had only been seen recently in the forests of southern Vietnam. To everyone's surprise, it has been rediscovered within Cambodian territory! The species was first discovered in Cambodia in 1860.

18 individuals discovered

The announcement by the scientific journal was made in recent days, although this rediscovery actually took place a year and a half ago. Researchers from the Cambodian Journal of Natural History took the time to study the animals' natural habitat before releasing the information to the public, with the goal of ensuring their protection. The snails were discovered in the O'reang district of Mondulkiri Province, within the Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary, an area that is threatened by deforestation if the snails were to venture beyond its protected limits.

In November 2018, at the onset of Cambodia’s dry season, the researchers discovered 18 giant Bertia cambojiensis shells. Unfortunately, 14 of them were empty, but their astonishment was immense when they found that 4 shells still contained living snails inside.

Soon to be known to all

The animals were found in the middle of a forest inside the sanctuary, resting on dry litter despite the recent passing of the rainy season, and near a small stream. Other snails were also found under logs or tree trunks for shade.

The shell of the giant snail is helical in shape and as large as an adult's palm! Its pale, black, or brown color blends perfectly with the natural hues of its forest habitat.

The Cambodian Journal of Natural History, a biannual publication, is released every December and June. Therefore, it is highly likely that scientists from the Center for Biodiversity Conservation (CBC) at the Royal University of Phnom Penh will publish a detailed article about Bertia cambojiensis next month. The CBC is a non-profit organization dedicated to the training of Cambodian biologists and the study and conservation of Cambodia’s biodiversity.