PREAH VIHEAR, 2/16/2023 - The Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity (ACCB), in collaboration with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the Provincial Department of Environment (PDoE) of Preah Vihear province, successfully released an Asian Woollyneck (Ciconia episcopus) and a Lesser Adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus) in January 2023 in a protected area.
The Asian Woollyneck, classified as near threatened on the IUCN Red List for Threatened Species, was rescued in November 2022 by PDoE and WCS after it was found very lethargic and underweight. Once at ACCB, the bird received appropriate care and treatment for parasites under experienced supervision. Meanwhile, the Lesser Adjutant stork, classified as vulnerable, was raised by its parents in captivity at ACCB.
The release of these birds into the wild is an important contribution to their conservation and protection.
To prepare the storks for their return to the wild, they were given live fish to catch and a naturalistic enclosure with a pond and branches to perch on. The enclosure was designed to prevent habituation to humans and to help develop and improve their hunting abilities.
The successful release of the storks is a testament to the collaborative efforts of the ACCB, WCS, and the PDoE, as well as the support from local communities. We commend their commitment to conservation and the protection of these vulnerable species.
Video footage of the release can be found here: https://fb.watch/iJBool_ssq/
For more information, please contact:
Nev Broadis, Northern Plains Landscape Technical Advisor, WCS Cambodia – nbroadis@wcs.org
Christel Griffioen, Country Director, Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity – cgriffioen@accb-cambodia.org