Thursday, February 08, 2007

Cambodian forest home to many endangered birds

Feb. 7, 2007

Scientists flock to remote region to study rare species

Associated Press


BANGKOK, THAILAND — Researchers in the remote forests of Cambodia said Wednesday they have discovered the only known colony in Southeast Asia of slender-billed vultures and scores of other endangered birds.

The colony was discovered last month in the jungles east of the Mekong River in Cambodia's Stung Treng Province.

"We discovered the nests on top of a hill where two other vulture species were also found," said Song Chansocheat, manager of the Cambodia Vulture Conservation Project.

"Amazingly, there were also a host of other globally threatened species of birds and primates," Song Chansocheat said in a statement. "It's a very special place."

The area was also found to be home to several other species listed as critically endangered by the World Conservation Union, including the white-rumped vulture, according to the New York-based WCS.

The team also spotted a red-headed vulture, giant ibis and an endangered primate called a silvered langur, or leaf monkey.

Researchers said slender-billed vultures have been found in other parts of Southeast Asia but that the only other known colony until now was in northern India. They are believed extinct in many parts of Southeast Asia, including Thailand.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Be smart Cambodia. In 20 years, you can have the only real forest and wildlife left in Indochina if you protect it now. And what is Cambodia without its forests?

Anonymous said...

Who is this? Are you Cambodian or not? Maybe not...

What you mean is Cambodian is not smart right now!

Anonymous said...

It's a niche opportunity for tourism to see endanger species in Cambodia. That only make possible if we protect our environment and efforts to protect the wildlife. Will Cambodian government understand this important juncture?