The Environment Ministry and partner NGOs working in wildlife protection said they recorded 754 white-shouldered ibis in their annual survey from July to October, indicating a “slight increase” from last year.

The ministry said on December 10: “This is a positive sign showing a slight increase in this highly endangered species, thanks to the efforts of the Ministry of the Environment, partner NGOs and relevant stakeholders, giving themselves the hand to protect these birds.

The white-shouldered ibis (Pseudibis davisoni) is listed on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species as “critically endangered”.

Of the 754 birds, 373 (49.47%) were found in Siem Pang Wildlife Sanctuary in Stung Treng Province, another 252 (33.42%) in Sambor Wildlife Sanctuary in Kratie Province , and the other 129 (17.11%) were found in other wildlife reserves, the ministry said.

Environment Ministry spokesman Neth Pheaktra said peace is a positive factor in protecting Cambodia’s natural resources and biodiversity.

The efforts of the ministry and partner NGOs to actively protect the Kingdom’s wildlife and biodiversity have been deployed in a highly responsible and professional manner for the benefit of future generations.

“On behalf of the Ministry of the Environment, I would like to thank the partners and the population for their protection of the white-shouldered ibis. Their actions are of great value for the protection of global biodiversity, invaluable in attracting tourists to ecotourism, which can bring income to the community and to the national economy, ”he said.

The ministry noted that ibis species are native to the Southeast Asian region and their numbers fell sharply at the end of the 20th century. Globally, there are more than 1,000 birds, including more than 670 adults, he said.

Cambodia provides suitable habitat for the species and is home to the largest population of endangered ibis, he said.

Birds are commonly found in Siem Pang Wildlife Sanctuary in Stung Treng, Kulen Promtep Wildlife Sanctuary in Preah Vihear, Oddar Meanchey and Siem Reap Provinces, along the Mekong River in Sambor Wildlife Sanctuary in Kratie, Lumphat Wildlife Sanctuary in Mondulkiri Province and the Eastern Plains Landscape in Mondulkiri, Ratanakkiri, Kratie and Stung Treng provinces, he added.

White-shouldered ibis recorded in wildlife reserves in Cambodia. Minister of the Environment

The ministry warned that ibis are threatened by deforestation, habitat loss, water pollution and disturbance from human activities.

The population jumped 213.87 percent, from 310 in 2009 to 973 in 2013, but dropped significantly to less than 500 in 2015-16, the statement said.

World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Cambodia’s National Director for Nature Seng Teak said he was delighted with the population increase, which he said flies in the face of the global downward trend of the number. He attributed this to “positive steps” in joint efforts between the ministry and partners.

“WWF, as one of the partners, will continue to work closely with all relevant stakeholders to support surveys and conservation efforts, and will actively engage with communities in flooded forest areas along the Mekong River to protect this rare species, their nests and habitats. ,” he said.

Other NGOs involved in the protection of wildlife, including NatureLife Cambodia and the Angkor Center for the Conservation of Biodiversity (ACCB), also announced the population growth and pledged to continue their collaboration in the protection wildlife and natural resources.