White-Shouldered IbisApril 28, 2006
Associated Press
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia -- A flock of one of the world's most endangered birds -- the white-shouldered ibis -- has been discovered in a remote province in northeast Cambodia, a conservationist said Monday.
Between 20 and 30 white-shouldered ibis, a critically endangered species with only 250 existing in the wild, was spotted at a protected wetland in Stung Treng province, said ecological adviser Kong Kimsreng of the Mekong Wetland Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Use project.
The flock was first found during a survey last November in the province, 240 kilometers (150 miles) northeast of Phnom Penh. Their presence was confirmed in a follow-up in March, Kong Kimsreng said. The flock did not appear to have fewer birds in the second survey, but he warned that local practices pose a risk to its survival.
"The main threat to the white-shouldered ibis is chick- and egg-collecting by local people," Kong Kimsreng said. "They don't understand that this is an important bird, that this is a rare bird in the world. They collect the chicks to keep as pets ... to make their house nice."
Although it is illegal to catch the bird, wildlife protection laws are rarely enforced, he said.
"Local people, they know the character of this bird. They understand when it breeds," he said. "If they see this bird, they will climb the tree it is in and catch it."
Kong Kimsreng said he is trying to encourage local residents to be more involved in conservation and protection of the endangered species.
"If local people are involved in our work, they will understand how important the ibis is. I hope they will love the bird and not catch it anymore."
Associated Press
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia -- A flock of one of the world's most endangered birds -- the white-shouldered ibis -- has been discovered in a remote province in northeast Cambodia, a conservationist said Monday.
Between 20 and 30 white-shouldered ibis, a critically endangered species with only 250 existing in the wild, was spotted at a protected wetland in Stung Treng province, said ecological adviser Kong Kimsreng of the Mekong Wetland Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Use project.
The flock was first found during a survey last November in the province, 240 kilometers (150 miles) northeast of Phnom Penh. Their presence was confirmed in a follow-up in March, Kong Kimsreng said. The flock did not appear to have fewer birds in the second survey, but he warned that local practices pose a risk to its survival.
"The main threat to the white-shouldered ibis is chick- and egg-collecting by local people," Kong Kimsreng said. "They don't understand that this is an important bird, that this is a rare bird in the world. They collect the chicks to keep as pets ... to make their house nice."
Although it is illegal to catch the bird, wildlife protection laws are rarely enforced, he said.
"Local people, they know the character of this bird. They understand when it breeds," he said. "If they see this bird, they will climb the tree it is in and catch it."
Kong Kimsreng said he is trying to encourage local residents to be more involved in conservation and protection of the endangered species.
"If local people are involved in our work, they will understand how important the ibis is. I hope they will love the bird and not catch it anymore."
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