WCS Cambodia https://cambodia.wcs.org RSS feeds for WCS Cambodia 60 https://cambodia.wcs.org/About-Us/Latest-News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/21570/---COP28.aspx#Comments 0 https://cambodia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=8496&ModuleID=17510&ArticleID=21570 https://cambodia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=21570&PortalID=133&TabID=8496 អ្នកស្រី គឿង ណាវី ស្រ្តីដឹកនាំសហគមន៍ជនជាតិដើមភាគតិចព្នង តំណាងសហគមន៍ជនជាតិដើមភាគតិចនៃប្រទេសកម្ពុជាក្នុងសន្និសីទ COP28 https://cambodia.wcs.org/About-Us/Latest-News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/21570/---COP28.aspx   ទីក្រុងឌូបៃ នៃសហភាព​អារ៉ាប់​អេមី​រ៉េត​៖ អ្នកស្រី គឿង ណាវី ប្រធានសហគមន៍ស្រ្តីតំណាងឱ្យ​សហគមន៍​ជនជាតិ​ដើម​ភាគ​តិច​ព្នង​​ក្នុង​ដែន​ជម្រក​សត្វ​ព្រៃ​កែវ​សីមា​ ខេត្ត​មណ្ឌល​គិ​រី​ បាន​ចូល​រួម​ក្នុង​សន្និសីទ​កំពូល​នៃ​បណ្ដា​ភាគី​អនុសញ្ញាក្របខ័ណ្ឌ​សហ​ប្រជាជាតិ​​ស្ដី​ពី​ការ​ប្រែ​ប្រួល​អាកាស​ធាតុ​​លើកទី២៨ ឆ្នាំ២០២៣ (COP28) ដើម្បី​បង្ហាញ​អំពី​​អត្ថ​ប្រយោជន៍​ពិត​ប្រា​កដ​​​នៃ​​ហិរញ្ញ​ប្បទាន​កាបូន​ក្នុង​ការ​អភិរក្ស​ព្រៃ​ឈើ​។​ ក្រោម​ការ​សម្រប​សម្រួល​​ដោយ​ក្រសួង​បរិស្ថាន​​នៃ​ប្រទេស​កម្ពុជា​ ​និង​អង្គការ​សមាគម​អភិរក្ស​សត្វ​ព្រៃ​ (WCS)​ ការ​ចូល​រួម​របស់​អ្នក​ស្រី​គឺ​​បានផ្តោត​លើ​​សារ​សំខាន់​នៃការ​​ផ្តល់​​ហិរញ្ញប្បទានកាបូនដោយ​ផ្ទាល់​​ទៅដល់​​សហគមន៍ជនជាតិដើម​ភាគតិច​ក្នុ​ង​កិច្ច​ការ​ងារ​អភិរក្ស​ប្រកបដោយ​ប្រសិទ្ធភាពនិងនិរន្តរភាព។ អ្នកស្រី ណាវី​បាន​បង្កើតទំព័រប្រវត្តិសាស្រ្តថ្មីមួយក្នុងនាមជាវាគ្មិនជនជាតិដើមភាគតិចព្នងដំបូងគេបង្អស់​​ដែល​​បាន​​ចូល​​រួម​ថ្លែង​​​​​​នៅ​ក្នុង​សន្និសីទ​​​កំពូល​មួយ​របស់​អង្គការសហប្រជាជាតិបែបនេះ ដើម្បី​ពាំ​នាំ​សារ​​ពី​​ភូមិ​ឋាន​ដែល​​​ដាច់ស្រយាលក្នុង​​ព្រៃ​នៃ​ខេត្ត​មណ្ឌល​គិរី​​​មកកាន់​ថ្នាក់ដឹកនាំ​កំពូល​ៗ​នៅលើសកលលោក។ អ្នកស្រី​បាន​ឱ្យ​ដឹង​ថា៖ «នាងខ្ញុំពិតជាមានសេចក្តីរំភើបក្នុងចិត្ត ជាមួយនឹង​ក្តី​កត្តញូ​។ នាង​ខ្ញុំ​ពិត​ជា​មាន​កិត្តិយសណាស់​ដែល​បាន​​មកដល់ទីនេះ ចេញ​ពី​ភូមិ​​​តូច​​មួយ​នៃ​ប្រទេស​កម្ពុជា មក​​និយាយទៅកាន់ថ្នាក់ដឹកនាំកំពូលៗ​នៃពិភពលោក​»។ ​            សុន្ទរកថារបស់​អ្នកស្រី​ថ្លែង​ក្នុង​​សន្និសីទ​​ដែល​ត្រូវបានរៀបចំឡើងដោយអង្គការ​ក្រុម​ប្រឹក្សា​សុចរិត​ភាព​សម្រាប់​​ទី​ផ្សារ​កាបូន​ស្ម័គ្រ​ចិត្ត​​ (Integrity Council for Voluntary Carbon Markets) និងអង្គ​ការ​ធម្មជាតិ​ដើម្បី​អាកាស​ធាតុ​ (Nature4Climate) បានទាក់ទាញចំណាប់អារម្មណ៍យ៉ាង​​ខ្លាំង​លើ​តួនាទី​ដ៏​សំខាន់​នៃ​ហិរញ្ញ​ប្បទាន​កាបូន​ក្នុងការ​ពង្រឹង​សិទ្ធិ​អំណាច​​សហគមន៍​ជនជាតិ​ដើម​ភាគ​តិច​។​ អ្នកស្រីបានបញ្ជាក់​ថា​៖​ «​ជំនួយ​ផ្នែក​ហិរញ្ញ​វត្ថុ​​ដែល​យើង​ទទួល​បាន​គឺ​មាន​តម្លៃ​ខ្លាំង​ណាស់​ក្នុង​ការ​ទប់​ទល់​នឹង​​កត្តា​គំរាម​កំហែង​ដល់​ព្រៃ​ឈើ​ក្នុង​សហគមន៍​របស់​យើង​។​ ព្រៃ​ឈើ​នៅ​ក្នុង​សហគមន៍​របស់​យើង​ស្ថិត​ក្នុង​​ចំណោម​​ព្រៃ​ក្រាស់​បំផុត​​ និង​មាន​សុខ​ភាព​ល្អ​បំផុត​ក្នុង​ប្រទេស​កម្ពុជា​ ដែល​​វា​ជា​សក្ខី​ភាព​បញ្ជាក់​ពី​ការ​ប្ដេជ្ញា​ចិត្ត​និង​​ការ​​ថែ​ទាំ​របស់​ជន​ជាតិ​ដើម​ភាគ​តិច​ព្នង​»​។​ ​ខ្លឹម​សារ​នេះ​គឺ​ស្រប​ទៅ​នឹង​ប្រធាន​បទ​ដែល​​សន្និសីទ COP28 បាន​ផ្ដោត​ការ​យក​ចិត្ត​ទុក​ដាក់​ក្នុង​ការ​​ពន្លឿន​សកម្មភាព​​​នានា​ដើម្បី​ប្រយុទ្ធ​ប្រឆាំង​នឹង​ការ​ប្រែ​ប្រួល​អាកាស​ធាតុ​ រួម​ទាំង​សារ​​សំខាន់​នៃ​ការ​អនុវត្ត​យន្ត​ការ​ហិរញ្ញ​​ប្ប​ទាន​​ដូច​ជា​​គម្រោងរេដបូក (REDD+) ក្នុង​ការ​គាំ​ទ្រ​ដល់​កិច្ច​ខិត​ខំ​​ប្រឹង​ប្រែង​ទាំង​នេះ​។​ អ្នកស្រីបានបន្ថែម​ទៀតថា៖​ «យើងខ្ញុំបានប្រើប្រាស់ហិរញ្ញ​ប្បទានកាបូនដើម្បីកសាងសហគមន៍ និងការពារបរិស្ថាន ដោ​យរួម​បញ្ចូល​គ្នា​នូវ​របៀប​រស់​នៅ​​បែប​ប្រពៃណី​ជាមួយ​និង​វិធីសាស្ត្រ​ច្នៃ​ប្រ​ឌិត​ថ្មី​ៗ​ដើម្បី​ការ​ពារ​​ព្រៃ​ឈើ​របស់​យើង​»​។​​ ​មតិរបស់អ្នកស្រី​ត្រូវបាន​​ផ្សាយ​ខ្ទរ​ខ្ទារ​​ក្នុងសន្និសីទ COP28 ហើយ​ទាញ​​ចំណាប់​អារម្មណ៍ឱ្យ​អ្នក​រាល់​គ្នា​ដឹង​​ថា​​​វឌ្ឍនភាពនៃ​​ហិរញ្ញប្បទានអាកាសធាតុគឺ​ជា​គន្លឹះ​នៃការផ្លាស់ប្ដូរដ៏ត្រឹមត្រូវមួយ​ និងចូលរួម​កាត់​បន្ថយ​ការ​បំភាយ​ឧស្ម័ន​នៅ​ទូទាំង​ពិភព​លោក​។​ ការ​បង្ហាញ​បទ​ពិសោធន៍​របស់​អ្នក​ស្រី​ ណាវី​ នៅ​ក្នុង​សន្និសីទ​ COP28 នេះ​ផង​ដែរ​ បាន​ផ្តោត​សំខាន់​លើ​កិច្ច​ខិត​ខំ​ប្រឹង​ប្រែង​រួម​ក្នុង​សកម្ម​ភាព​ទប់​ស្កាត់​ការ​ប្រែ​ប្រួល​អាកាស​ធាតុ​។ «​ហិរញ្ញប្បទាន​កាបូន​បាន​ជួយ​លើក​កម្ពស់​សហគមន៍​របស់​ខ្ញុំ​​និង​​សហគមន៍​ជន​ជាតិ​ដើម​ភាគ​តិច​​ផ្សេង​ទៀត​​នៅ​ទូ​ទាំង​ពិភព​លោក​ ហើយ​វា​ក៏​បាន​ពង្រីក​អត្ថប្រយោជន៍​​ដល់​ពិភព​លោក​ទាំង​មូល​»​។ ​នេះ​ជា​ការ​បញ្ជាក់​របស់​អ្នក​ស្រី​ ដោយ​សង្កត់​ធ្ងន់​លើ​ខ្លឹម​សារ​នៃ​ការ​រួប​រួម​និង​មហិច្ឆតា​ក្នុង​ការ​ប្តេជ្ញា​ចិត្ត​ចំពោះដំណោះ​ស្រាយ​នៃ​ការ​ប្រែ​ប្រួល​​អាកាស​ធាតុ​។ ### សូមរំឭក​​ផងដែរថា អ្នកស្រី ណាវី ក៏នឹងចូលរួមជាវាគ្មិនក្នុងកម្មវិធីមួយផ្សេងទៀតក្រោមប្រធានបទ «​តើ​ហិរញ្ញប្បទាន​​កាបូន​​​បង្កើត​​​ឱកាស​​​​ដល់​​ជនជាតិដើម​ភាគតិចនិងសហគមន៍មូលដ្ឋានយ៉ាងដូចម្ដេច?» នៅថ្ងៃទី១១ ខែធ្នូ នៅវិមានជនជាតិដើមភាគតិចដែលរៀបចំដោយអង្គការ​ក្រុម​ប្រឹក្សា​សុចរិត​ភាព​សម្រាប់​​ទី​ផ្សារ​កាបូន​ស្ម័គ្រ​ចិត្ត​​ (Integrity Council for Voluntary Carbon Markets) អង្គ​ការ​ធម្មជាតិ​ដើម្បី​អាកាស​ធាតុ​ (Nature4Climate) និង​មូលនិធិការពារបរិស្ថាន (Environmental Defense Fund)។ ដើម្បី​ចុះឈ្មោះ​ចូល​រួម​ព្រឹត្តិការណ៍​នេះ​​ សូម​ចូល​ទៅកាន់​តំណ​ភ្ជាប់នេះ។ សូមចូលទៅកាន់តំណ​ភ្ជាប់នេះដើម្បីទស្សនាកិច្ចសុន្ទរកថារបស់អ្នកស្រី ណាវី។ សម្រាប់​ព័ត៌មាន​បន្ថែម​អំពី​ការ​ចូលរួម​របស់​អ្នក​ស្រី​នៅក្នុងសន្និសីទ COP28 ឬដើម្បីស្នើសុំបទសម្ភាសន៍​​​​អំពី​បទ​ពិសោធន៍​របស់​អ្នក​ស្រី​ សូម​ទំនាក់​ទំនង​មក​កាន់​​អ្នក​នាង​ ចាន់ ផល្គុណ តាមរយៈអ៊ី​ម៉ែល៖ pchan@wcs.org សម្រាប់រូបភាពនៃព្រឹត្តិការណ៍នេះសូមចូលទៅកាន់តំណភ្ជាប់នេះ។   aromeo Tue, 05 Dec 2023 02:23:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:21570 https://cambodia.wcs.org/About-Us/Latest-News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/21560/Indigenous-Leader-Navy-Koeung-Represents-Cambodia-at-COP28.aspx#Comments 0 https://cambodia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=8496&ModuleID=17510&ArticleID=21560 https://cambodia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=21560&PortalID=133&TabID=8496 Indigenous Leader Navy Koeung Represents Cambodia at COP28 https://cambodia.wcs.org/About-Us/Latest-News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/21560/Indigenous-Leader-Navy-Koeung-Represents-Cambodia-at-COP28.aspx Caption: Navy Koeung and Kimheak Chhay, WCS Cambodia's  Community and REDD+ Manager.  DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Navy Koeung, a representative from the Bunong community in Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary, took to the stage this Sunday at the UNFCCC's 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) to highlight the tangible benefits of carbon finance in forest conservation. Her participation, facilitated by the Cambodian Ministry of Environment and WCS Cambodia, underscored the importance of directing carbon finance towards Indigenous communities for effective and sustainable conservation.  Navy Koeung made history as the first Bunong community speaker to address such a high-level UN conference, bridging the gap between a remote forested village in Mondulkiri province and the ears of global decision-makers. She shared, “I am filled with gratitude. It is a great honor to speak here, from a small village in Cambodia to world leaders.”  Navy’s speech at the event hosted by the Integrity Council for Voluntary Carbon Markets (ICVCM) and Nature4Climate (N4C) brought attention to the critical role of carbon finance in empowering indigenous communities. “The financial support we receive is vital in standing against the threats to our forests. Our forests are among the densest and healthiest in Cambodia, a testament to the Bunong’s commitment and care,” she stated. This aligns with COP28's focus on accelerating actions to combat climate change and the importance of financial mechanisms like the REDD+ in supporting these efforts.  She added, “We’ve used carbon finance to build our community and protect our environment, blending our traditional lifestyle with innovative ways to protect our forest.” Her insights echoed the sentiments at COP28, where progress in climate finance is vital to a just transition and reducing emissions worldwide.  Including Navy's experience at COP28 underscored the need for collaborative efforts in climate action. “Carbon finance uplifts my community and Indigenous communities worldwide, extending benefits to the entire world,” she remarked, reinforcing the global climate summit's message of unity and ambition in climate commitments.  ### Watch Navy Koeung's COP28 remarks starting at 6:23:33 here. See photos from behind the scenes here.  Navy is scheduled to speak at another event titled "How can carbon finance create opportunities for Indigenous peoples and local communities?" on December 11th in the Indigenous Peoples Pavilion, co-hosted by ICVCM, N4C, and the Environmental Defense Fund. To register for the event, visit here.  For more information about her involvement in COP28 or to request an interview with her about her experience, please contact Ms. Phalkun Chan at pchan@wcs.org.   aromeo Mon, 04 Dec 2023 07:37:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:21560 https://cambodia.wcs.org/About-Us/Latest-News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/20484.aspx#Comments 0 https://cambodia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=8496&ModuleID=17510&ArticleID=20484 https://cambodia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=20484&PortalID=133&TabID=8496 អាហារូបករណ៍ និងភាពជាម្ចាស់ការ៖ តួនាទីរបស់យុវជនជនជាតិដើមភាគតិចក្នុងការផ្លាស់ប្ដូរប្រកបដោយនិរន្តភាពនៅប្រទេសកម្ពុជា https://cambodia.wcs.org/About-Us/Latest-News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/20484.aspx                                              ខេត្តកំពង់ស្ពឺ (ថ្ងៃទី០៩ ខែសីហា ឆ្នាំ២០២៣)៖ ក្រសួងអភិវឌ្ឍន៍ជនបទ អង្គការជនជាតិដើមភាគ តិចកម្ពុជា (CIPO) និងអង្គការសមាគមអភិរក្សសត្វព្រៃ (WCS) បានសហការគ្នាប្រារព្ធទិវាអន្តរជាតិ​ជន​ជាតិ​ដើមភាគតិចពិភពលោក នៅឯកីឡាដ្ឋានខេត្តកំពង់ស្ពឺ។ ពិធីប្រារព្ធទិវា​នេះក៏​មាន​បញ្ចូលនូវកម្មវិធីសម្ដែង​បែប​ប្រពៃណីនៃជនជាតិដើមភាគតិច ទិដ្ឋភាពនៃការបង្ហាញអំពីភាពលេចធ្លោនៃថ្នាក់ដឹកនាំអភិរក្ស និងសិទ្ធិ​របស់ជនជាតិដើមភាគតិច ក៏ដូចជាការបង្ហាញអំពីតួនាទីរបស់យុវជនជនជាតិដើមភាគតិចក្នុងការផ្លាស់ប្ដូរ សហគមន៍របស់ពួកគេតាមរយៈការអប់រំ។ ការប្រារព្ធពិធីលើកទី២៩ នៃទិវាអន្តរជាតិជនជាតិដើមភាគតិចពិភពលោកឆ្នាំនេះប្រព្រឹត្តឡើងក្រោម ប្រធានបទ «យុវជនជនជាតិដើមភាគតិចគឺជាភ្នាក់ងារនៃការផ្លាស់ប្ដូរដោយសិទ្ធិស្វ័យសម្រេច»  បាន​រំលេច​ឡើង​វិញនូវកម្មវិធីអាហារូបករណ៍ ដែលគម្រោងរេដបូកដែនជម្រកសត្វព្រៃកែវសីមាបានប្រកាសផ្ដល់ជូន កាលពីខែ ឧសភាឆ្នាំ២០២៣ កន្លង​ទៅ។ គម្រោងរេដបូកដែនជម្រកសត្វព្រៃកែវសីមាជាគម្រោង​របស់ក្រសួង​បរិស្ថាន ក្រោមកិច្ចសហការជាមួយអង្គការ WCS។ កម្មវិធីអាហារូបករណ៍នេះ​បាន​ជួយ​គាំទ្រផ្នែកហិរញ្ញវត្ថុ​ដល់​ការសិក្សាកម្រិតឧត្តមសិក្សារបស់និស្សិតជនជាតិដើមភាគតិចព្នង។ កញ្ញា ព្យិញ ដើក ជ័យលាភីមួយរូប​ដែល​បានទទួលអាហារូបករណ៍នេះបានជ្រើសយកជំនាញ រៀបចំដែនដី និងរដ្ឋបាល​ដីធ្លី និងកំពុងសិក្សានៅ​រាជធានីភ្នំពេញ។ កញ្ញា ព្យិញ ដើក បានលើកឡើងថា «នាងខ្ញុំជ្រើសរើស​មុខជំនាញ​នេះ​ពីព្រោះ​នាងខ្ញុំចង់​ដោះស្រាយបញ្ហាវិវាទដីធ្លីដែលកើតមានឡើងនៅក្នុងសហគមន៍ ក៏ដូចជា​ប្រើចំណេះ​ជំនាញដីធ្លី​របស់ នាងខ្ញុំដើម្បី ជួយកសាងសមត្ថភាពសហគមន៍នៅក្នុងតំបន់នាងខ្ញុំ»។ លោក នេត វិបុល នាយករងអង្គការ WCS ប្រចាំប្រទេសកម្ពុជា បានកត់សម្គាល់ថា «អាហារូបករណ៍​​ទាំងនេះនឹងជួយពង្រីកការយល់ដឹងបន្ថែមដល់អ្នកដឹកនាំវ័យក្មេងយើង។ ការ​គាំទ្រ​នេះមិនត្រឹមតែជា​ជំនួយ​ផ្នែក​ហិរញ្ញវត្ថុ​ប៉ុណ្ណោះទេ ប៉ុន្តែជាការវិនិយោគលើយុវជន ផ្ដល់សិទ្ធិអំណាច ជំរុញទឹកចិត្តពួកគេក្នុង​ការ​ផ្លាស់​ប្ដូរ និងជួយប្រែក្លាយពួកគេជាភ្នាក់ងារដឹកនាំការងារអភិរក្សធនធានធម្មជាតិ និងអភិវឌ្ឍន៍សហគមន៍​ប្រកប​ដោយ​ចីរភាព នៅថ្ងៃអនាគត»។ ចំនុចគួរឱ្យកត់សម្គាល់ផងដែរនោះគឺនៅក្នុងប្រទេសកម្ពុជាយើងនេះមានសហគមន៍​ជនជាតិដើម​ភាគ​​តិចចម្រុះ ប្រមាណ២៤ ក្រុមផ្សេងៗគ្នា ហើយយើងក៏យល់ពីតម្លៃនៃប្រពៃណីដ៏ផូរផង់ជាមួយ​នឹងការអប់រំបែប​ទំនើប​របស់សហគមន៍ជនជាតិដើមភាគតិចនេះ។ ចំនុចទាំងពីរនេះបានធ្វើឱ្យក្រុមយុវជនជនជាតិភាគ​តិច​ចូល​រួមបង្កើត ដំណោះស្រាយតាមបែបវប្បធម៌ និងប្រពៃណីពួកគេដើម្បីប្រយុទ្ធប្រឆាំងនឹងការប្រែប្រួល​អាកាសធាតុ​ក៏ដូចជាដើម្បី ការពារទឹកដីដូនតារបស់ពួកគេ។ ការបន្តការសិក្សាគឺមានសារៈសំខាន់ណាស់ ព្រោះវាគឺជាដើមទុនសម្រាប់ការដោះស្រាយសិទ្ធិដីធ្លីជន​ជាតិ​ដើមភាគតិចឱ្យបានកាន់តែប្រសើរ។ បន្ថែមពីលើនេះផងដែរក្របខណ្ឌច្បាប់ក្នុងប្រទេសកម្ពុជាដែលស្ដី អំពី​ការ​ការពារ​សិទ្ធិ​ជន​ជាតិ​ដើម​ភាគតិចបាននឹងកំពុងតែប្រព្រឹត្តទៅយ៉ាងសកម្មតាមតំបន់មួយចំនួន​។ តួយ៉ាង គឺនៅ ដែនជម្រកសត្វព្រៃកែវសីមា (Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary-KSWS) បានឱ្យតម្លៃ និងផ្ដល់ការការពារ​សិទ្ធិ​ដីធ្លី និងបេតិកភណ្ឌវប្បធម៌របស់សហគមន៍ជនជាតិដើមភាគតិចព្នងចំនួន ០៧ សហគមន៍ ហើយក៏​កំពុងតែ​បន្តដំណើរ ការផ្ដល់ប័ណ្ណកម្មសិទ្ធិដីធ្លីសហគមន៍ជនជាតិដើមភាគតិច (ICT) ផងដែរ។   អ្នកស្រី ស្រួត ភានី ប្រធានសហគមន៍ជនជាតិដើមភាគតិចក្នុងភូមិស្រែល្វី ស្រុកកែវសីមា ខេត្តមណ្ឌលគីរី បានចូលរួមផ្ទាល់នៅក្នុងថ្ងៃប្រារព្ធពិធីនេះ បានគូសបញ្ជាក់ពីតួនាទីដ៏សំខាន់របស់យុវជនជនជាតិដើមភាគតិច ថា៖ «នៅក្នុងបរិបទ សហគមន៍ជាតិដើមភាគតិច កាលណាយុវជនកាន់តែមានការយល់ដឹងអំពីសិទ្ធិដីធ្លី នោះយើងកាន់ តែមានជំហរឹងមាំ ក្នុងការការពារសិទ្ធិដីធ្លីក្នុងសហគមន៍យើង»។ អ្នកស្រីក៏បានបន្ថែមថា «ទឹកដី របស់យើងគឺជា កេរ្តិ៍តំណែលពីដូនតា ហើយក៏ជាកេរ្តិ៍តំណែលសម្រាប់កូនចៅជំនាក់ក្រោយផងដែរ។ ចំណែកយុវជននៅក្នុង សហគមន៍របស់ខ្ញុំគឺតែងតែ មានសកម្មភាពចូលរួមការពារព្រៃឈើ និងសកម្មភាពទាក់ទងនឹងគម្រោងរេដបូក ដែល សកម្មភាពទាំងនេះគឺជាវិធីសាស្រ្តនាំឱ្យពួកគេការពារព្រៃឈើ និងអភិរក្សប្រពៃណីរបស់ជនជាតិយើងឱ្យនៅ គង់វង្ស»។ គួររម្លឹកផងដែរថា នៅមានសហគមន៍ជនជាតិដើមភាគតិចចំនួន៤៥០សហគមន៍ទៀតដែលពុំ​ទាន់​ទទួល បានកម្មសិទ្ធិដីសមូហភាពនៅឡើយ។ សមិទ្ធផលសម្រេចបានដោយគម្រោងរេដបូកដែន​ជម្រកសត្វ​ព្រៃ​កែវ​សីមា​គឺជា​សមិទ្ធផលដំបូងគេបង្អស់ដោយ​សហគមន៍ជនជាតិដើមភាគតិចបាន​ទទួលប័ណ្ណកម្មសិទ្ធិ​ដី​ធ្លី ហើយសកម្មភាព នេះបានបង្ហាញអំពីតម្រូវការចាំបាច់ក្នុងការពង្រីកសិទ្ធិទាំងនេះបន្ថែមទៀត។ នៅពេល​ដែល​យើងគោរពឱ្យតម្លៃ និងរក្សាសិទ្ធិទាំងនេះគឺយើងបានគាំទ្រសហគមន៍ជនជាតិដើមភាគតិច ដើម្បីបង្កើត​តំបន់​មួយដែលធម្មជាតិ និង មនុស្សរីកចម្រើនជាមួយគ្នា។ លោក.លោកស្រីអាចទាញយករូបភាពបន្ថែមក្នុងកម្រិតច្បាស់តាមរយៈតំណភ្ជាប់នេះ៖  សម្រាប់ព័ត៌មានបន្ថែមសូមទាក់ទង អ្នកនាង ចាន់ ផល្គុណ ប្រធានគ្រប់គ្រងផ្នែកទំនាក់ទំនង អង្គការ WCS Cambodia pchan@wcs.org aromeo Tue, 08 Aug 2023 10:09:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:20484 https://cambodia.wcs.org/About-Us/Latest-News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/20483/Scholarship-and-Stewardship-Indigenous-Youth-Pioneering-Sustainable-Change-in-Cambodia.aspx#Comments 0 https://cambodia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=8496&ModuleID=17510&ArticleID=20483 https://cambodia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=20483&PortalID=133&TabID=8496 Scholarship and Stewardship: Indigenous Youth Pioneering Sustainable Change in Cambodia https://cambodia.wcs.org/About-Us/Latest-News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/20483/Scholarship-and-Stewardship-Indigenous-Youth-Pioneering-Sustainable-Change-in-Cambodia.aspx                             KAMPONG SPEU PROVINCE, Cambodia — Cambodia, in collaboration with the Ministry of Rural Development, the Cambodia Indigenous Peoples Organization (CIPO), and WCS Cambodia, commemorated the 29th International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples at Kampong Speu Stadium today. Attracting over 2,000 attendees, the event celebrated traditional performances and insights from prominent conservation and Indigenous rights leaders, spotlighting Indigenous youth's role in their community's transformation through education.  This year's focus on Indigenous Youth as Agents of Change for Self-determination draws attention to the scholarships announced in May by the Keo Seima REDD+ project, a collaboration between WCS Cambodia and the Ministry of Environment. These scholarships offer financial support for academic studies, allowing Indigenous Bunong students like Pyinh Derk to study Land Management in Phnom Penh. Derk states, " I chose this major because I want to solve land conflicts in my community and use my knowledge to build community capacity on land legal issues."  Vibol Neth, WCS Cambodia's Deputy Country Director, notes, "These scholarships expand the horizons for these young leaders. They're not just financial assistance but an investment in the youth, empowering them to drive change and be agents for community-wide sustainable development and natural resource conservation."  Home to twenty-four distinct ethnic groups, Cambodia understands the value of intertwining traditional wisdom with modern education. This pairing allows Indigenous youth to craft culturally-rooted solutions to confront climate change and champion the protection of their ancestral lands.  This pursuit of education is intertwined with the broader fight for stronger Indigenous land rights. Cambodia's robust legal framework for Indigenous Peoples' protection, one of the most comprehensive in the Mekong region, is actively at work in places like the Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary (KSWS). Here, seven Indigenous Bunong communities have seen their land rights and cultural heritage formally recognized and protected, with several more Indigenous Communal Land Titles (ICTs) underway.  Pheany Sruot, a community leader in Sre Lvi Village and attendee at today's event, underscores the vital role of the youth: "The more our community, especially our young people, understands land rights, the stronger we stand in protecting our land." She adds, "Our lands are our past and our future. Our young people get forest protection and REDD+—they're leading the way to keep our forests and traditions alive."  Many of Cambodia's 450 Indigenous communities remain without formal collective land rights. The milestones reached in KSWS, where Cambodia's first ICTs were granted, underscore the pressing need to extend these rights further. When we respect and uphold these rights, we support Indigenous communities and create spaces where nature and people grow together.  ###  About WCS Cambodia  Wildlife Conservation Society Cambodia is dedicated to saving wildlife and wild places in Cambodia through science, conservation action, and inspiring people to value nature. Working in tandem with the government, and Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, WCS has been active in Cambodia since 1999, focusing on conserving key wildlife species and their habitats while upholding the rights of local communities. For more information, please visit https://cambodia.wcs.org/.   For high-resolution press photos from today's celebration, please click here.  Media Contact Ms. Phalkun Chan  Communications Manager  Wildlife Conservation Society Cambodia  pchan@wcs.org  aromeo Tue, 08 Aug 2023 10:05:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:20483 https://cambodia.wcs.org/About-Us/Latest-News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/20468.aspx#Comments 0 https://cambodia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=8496&ModuleID=17510&ArticleID=20468 https://cambodia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=20468&PortalID=133&TabID=8496 ការបង្កើតតំបន់ការពារទេសភាពបាកាន ៖ ភាពជោគជ័យដ៏ធំមួយសម្រាប់ជីវចម្រុះកម្ពុជា និងគោលដៅអភិវឌ្ឍន៍ប្រកបដោយចីរភាព៣០គុណ៣០ https://cambodia.wcs.org/About-Us/Latest-News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/20468.aspx                                ខេត្តពោធិ៍សាត់ (ថ្ងៃទី០៤ ខែសីហា ឆ្នាំ២០២៣)៖ អង្គការសមាគមអភិរក្សសត្វព្រៃ ប្រចាំប្រទេសកម្ពុជា (WCS) សហការ ជាមួយក្រសួងបរិស្ថាន រដ្ឋបាលខេត្តពោធិ៍សាត់ មន្ទីរបរិស្ថានខេត្តពោធិ៍សាត់ និងដៃគូពាក់ព័ន្ធ បានប្រារព្ធពិធីសិក្ខាសាលា ផ្សព្វផ្សាយស្ដីពី៖ «អនុក្រឹត្យលេខ១៤៤ ស្ដីពីការបង្កើតតំបន់ការពារទេសភាពបាកាន»។ នេះគឺជាជំហានដ៏សំខាន់សម្រាប់ ការ ការពារជម្រកជីវចម្រុះ និងអនុលោមទៅតាមគោលដៅអភិវឌ្ឍន៍ប្រកបដោយចីរភាព ដែលក្នុងនោះ ប្រទេសកម្ពុជាបាន ចូលរួមប្ដេជ្ញាការពារអភិរក្សធនធានធម្មជាតិនិងជីវចម្រុះឱ្យបាន៣០ភាគរយទាំងផ្ទៃដីនិងសមុទ្រ លើផែនដីត្រឹមឆ្នាំ២០៣០។ តំបន់ការពារទេសភាពបាកានមានផ្ទៃដីសរុប ៣៨, ៤៣០ហិកតា បើប្រៀបធៀបទៅនឹងតំបន់រួមបញ្ចូលគ្នានៃកោះ Galapagos តំបន់ការងារទេសភាពបាកាន គឺជាតំបន់ដ៏សំខាន់សម្រាប់ប្រព័ន្ធអេកូឡូស៊ីក្នុងបឹងទន្លេសាប។ តំបន់ការពារនេះ មានសភាព ជាវាលស្មៅលិចទឹក និងជាទីជម្រកសម្រាប់សត្វរស់នៅក្នុងទឹកក្នុងរដូវវស្សា។ គូសបញ្ជាក់ផងដែរថា តំបន់ដ៏វិសេសនេះក៏ជា ទីជម្រកនៃ ប្រភេទសត្វបក្សីជិតផុតពូជដូចជា សត្វខ្សឹប​ (Bengal Florican) សត្វចាបស្មៅម៉ាន់ជូរ​ (Manchurian Reed-warbler) ហើយជាពិសេសគឺសត្វចាបស្មៅចុងខ្នងត្នោត (Chinese Grassbird)ដែលមានវត្តមានតែមួយគត់នៅក្នុងប្រទេសកម្ពុជា។ អង្គការសមាគមអភិរក្សសត្វព្រៃ (WCS Cambodia) និងដៃគូពាក់ព័ន្ធបានចំណាយពេលវេលាប្រាំឆ្នាំចុងក្រោយនេះ ក្នុងការធ្វើសកម្មភាពតស៊ូមតិនិងសម្របសម្រួលក្នុងការដាក់បញ្ចូលតំបន់នេះទៅជាតំបន់ការពារ ដោយយោងទៅលើគុណតម្លៃ និងការទទួលស្គាល់អំពីសារសំខាន់នៃប្រព័ន្ធអេកូឡូស៊ីក្នុងតំបន់នេះតាំងពីដើមឆ្នាំ ២០០០ មកម្ល៉េះ។ ជាងនេះផងដែរ ការដាក់បញ្ចូលតំបន់នេះទៅជាតំបន់ការពារលើកដំបូង ក្រោយពីមានវិបត្តិជំងឺរាតត្បាតសកល ជំងឺកូវីដ១៩ ដែលទាំងនេះ បង្ហាញឃើញអំពីការយកចិត្តទុកដាក់ និងការបន្តលើការងារអភិរក្សប្រព័ន្ធអេកូឡូស៊ី។ ក្នុងរយៈពេលមួយទសវត្សរ៍ចុងក្រោយនេះ តំបន់បឹងទន្លេសាបបានប្រឈមនឹងបញ្ហា លើការប្រើប្រាស់ដីយ៉ាងគំហុក ដែលជា កត្តាគំរាមកំហែងដល់ជីវចម្រុះដ៏សំបូរបែបក្នុងតំបន់នេះ។ តំបន់ការពារទេសភាពបាកាន គឺជាទីជម្រកវាលស្មៅលិចទឹក ធម្មជាតិ ដ៏សំខាន់ចុងក្រោយដែលត្រូវការការពារ នៅតំបន់ភាគខាងត្បូងនៃតំបន់ទំនាបទន្លេសាប។ សហគមន៍មូលដ្ឋានដើរតួនាទីយ៉ាងសំខាន់ក្នុងកិច្ចការងារអភិរក្សតំបន់នេះ។ មិនតែប៉ុណ្ណោះការចូលរួមរបស់សហគមន៍ គឺជាធាតុផ្សំដ៏សំខាន់ដែលធ្វើអោយមានការដាក់បញ្ចូលតំបន់នេះទៅជាតំបន់ការពារ ហើយពួកគេក៏នៅតែបន្តសកម្មភាព ចូលរួមនានាដែលមានលក្ខណៈបែបប្រពៃណីនិងការងារអភិរក្សប្រព័ន្ធអេកូចម្រុះនេះ។ ការបង្កើតតំបន់ការពារទេសភាពបាកានមិនគ្រាន់តែជាសមិទ្ធិផលថ្នាក់ជាតិប៉ុណ្ណោះទេ វាគឺជាជំហានដ៏ធំមួយក្នុងការចូលរួម សកម្មភាពសកល ដោយអនុលោមទៅតាមគោលដៅអភិវឌ្ឍន៍ប្រកបដោយចីរភាព ៣០ គុណ ៣០។ ប្រទេសជាង១០០ លើសកលលោករួមមានទាំងប្រទេសកម្ពុជាក៏បានចូលរួមប្ដេជ្ញាក្នុងការស្ដារការបាត់បង់ជីវចម្រុះ ក៏ដូចជាដើម្បីឆ្លើយតបទៅនឹង ការប្រែប្រួលអាកាសធាតុ និងធានានូវអនាគតប្រកបដោយចីរភាពសម្រាប់ភពផែនដីរបស់យើង។ ភាពជោគជ័យនេះគឺជានិមិត្តរូបនៃ កិច្ចខិតខំប្រឹងប្រែងក្នុងការអភិរក្សតំបន់ការពារទេសភាពនិងការគាំទ្រសហគមន៍តាមរយៈ កិច្ចខិតខំប្រឹងប្រែងរួមគ្នានៃក្រសួងបរិស្ថាន អង្គការ WCS Cambodia សហគមន៍មូលដ្ឋាន អង្គការ Rainforest Trust អង្គភាព Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies និងគម្រោងទន្លេសាបយើងដែលស្ថិតក្រោមជំនួយរបស់សហភាពអឺរ៉ុប ផងដែរ។ សម្រាប់ព័ត៌មានបន្ថែម៖ អ្នកនាង ចាន់ ផល្គុណ ប្រធានកិច្ចការទំនាក់ទំនង +85593505002/pchan@wcs.org aromeo Fri, 04 Aug 2023 08:46:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:20468 https://cambodia.wcs.org/About-Us/Latest-News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/20467/Bakan-Grassland-Officially-Protected-A-Major-Step-for-Cambodias-Biodiversity-and-30x30-Goals.aspx#Comments 0 https://cambodia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=8496&ModuleID=17510&ArticleID=20467 https://cambodia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=20467&PortalID=133&TabID=8496 Bakan Grassland Officially Protected: A Major Step for Cambodia's Biodiversity and 30x30 Goals https://cambodia.wcs.org/About-Us/Latest-News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/20467/Bakan-Grassland-Officially-Protected-A-Major-Step-for-Cambodias-Biodiversity-and-30x30-Goals.aspx                                   PURSAT PROVINCE, Cambodia — Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Cambodia, in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment and the Pursat Provincial Administration and Department of Environment, announced the official designation of the Bakan grassland as a national protected area officially called the Bakan Protected Landscape. This key move safeguards a vital habitat for biodiversity and aligns with Cambodia's commitment to the global 30x30 initiative: aiming to protect 30% of the Earth's land and seas by 2030. Covering 38,430 hectares, comparable to the combined area of the Galapagos Islands, the Bakan Protected Landscape is a critical component of the Tonle Sap ecosystem. It is a naturally flooded grassland that becomes a dynamic aquatic habitat in the wet season. This unique environment is home to critically endangered species like the Bengal Florican, Yellow-breasted Bunting, Manchurian Reed-warbler, and Cambodia's only known population of the elusive Chinese Grassbird. Recognizing the ecological importance of this landscape since the early 2000s, WCS Cambodia and its partners have dedicated the past five years to advocating for its official protection. This marks Cambodia's first new protected area in the Tonle Sap Floodplain since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, illustrating a continued focus on preserving this ecologically significant region. Over the last decade, the lake region has undergone significant land use changes, threatening its rich biodiversity. The Bakan Protected Landscape remains the last significant inundated natural grassland habitat in the southern part of the Tonle Sap Floodplain, underscoring the urgency and importance of its protection. Local communities have been central to this conservation initiative. Their continued engagement has been instrumental from initial planning to the present, and they will maintain their crucial role in combining traditional practices with the conservation of this diverse ecosystem. The official protection of the Bakan Landscape is not just a national achievement—it is a concrete step towards the global 30x30 initiative. Supported by Cambodia and over 100 other nations, this initiative is critical to bending the curve on biodiversity loss, responding to climate change, and ensuring a sustainable future for our planet. Through the combined efforts of WCS Cambodia, the Ministry of Environment, local communities, the Rainforest Trust, the European Union’s Our Tonle Sap project, and the Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies, this milestone symbolizes the continued collaboration among conservation organizations dedicated to the landscape’s protection and community support. ### About WCS Cambodia Wildlife Conservation Society Cambodia is dedicated to saving wildlife and wild places in Cambodia through science, conservation action, and inspiring people to value nature. WCS has been working in Cambodia since 1999, focusing on conserving key wildlife species and their habitats. Standing with Wildlife, United for Cambodia. For more information, please visit https://cambodia.wcs.org/.  For high-resolution press photos from today's public announcement, you can click here. For more information, please contact: Ms. Phalkun Chan Communications Manager Wildlife Conservation Society Cambodia pchan@wcs.org aromeo Fri, 04 Aug 2023 06:22:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:20467 https://cambodia.wcs.org/About-Us/Latest-News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/19103.aspx#Comments 0 https://cambodia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=8496&ModuleID=17510&ArticleID=19103 https://cambodia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=19103&PortalID=133&TabID=8496 កូនអណ្តើកហ្លួងចំនួន ១២២ក្បាលបានញាស់នៅក្នុងមជ្ឈមណ្ឌលអភិរក្សសត្វល្មូនកោះកុង https://cambodia.wcs.org/About-Us/Latest-News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/19103.aspx            កោះកុង (ថ្ងៃទី ២២ ខែ ឧសភា ឆ្នាំ ២០២៣)៖ អង្គការសមាគមអភិរក្សសត្វព្រៃ (WCS) និងរដ្ឋបាលជលផលនៃក្រសួងកសិកម្ម រុក្ខាប្រមាញ់ និងនេសាទ មានក្ដីសោមនស្សរីករាយក្នុងការប្រកាសពីភាពជោគជ័យដ៏អស្ចារ្យស្ដីពីការទទួលបានកូនអណ្តើកហ្លួងចំនួន ១២២ក្បាល ដែលទើបបានញាស់ចេញពីសម្បុកនៅលើឆ្នេរខ្សាច់សប្បនិម្មិតក្នុងមជ្ឈមណ្ឌលអភិរក្សសត្វល្មូនកោះកុងកាលពីសប្តាហ៍កន្លងទៅ។ នេះគឺជាលើកទីបីហើយ ដែលអណ្តើកហ្លួងចិញ្ចឹមក្នុងមជ្ឈមណ្ឌលនេះបានពងកូន។ ក្នុងរដូវពងកូនឆ្នាំ២០២៣នេះ ក្រុមអណ្តើកហ្លួងចិញ្ចឹមសម្រាប់បង្កាត់ពូជនៅក្នុងមជ្ឈមណ្ឌលអភិរក្សសត្វល្មូន កោះកុង ពងបាន​ចំនួន ២១សម្បុក ស្មើ ២៧២ពង ហើយញាស់បានចំនួន ១២២កូន បើប្រៀបធៀបទៅនឹងរដូវពងកូនឆ្នាំ២០២២ គឺមានការកើនឡើងគួរឱ្យកត់សម្គាល់ ដោយញាស់បានតែ៣០កូន ក្នុងចំណោមពង៩សម្បុកដែលមាន ៨១ពង។ លោក Christopher Poyser ប្រធានមជ្ឈមណ្ឌលអភិរក្សសត្វល្មូនកោះកុងនៃអង្គការ WCS បានថ្លែងថា «ការកើនឡើងនូវចំនួនពងក៏ដូចជាចំនួនកូនអណ្ដើកហ្លួងក្នុងរដូវពងកូនលើកនេះ គឺបានបង្ហាញពីលទ្ធផលដែលទទួលបានពីការខិតខំប្រឹងប្រែងរបស់ក្រុមការងារអភិរក្សសត្វដ៏កម្រជិតផុតពូជនេះកន្លងទៅ។ យើងខ្ញុំសង្ឃឹមយ៉ាងមុតម៉ាំថា     ក្នុងរដូវពងកូនក្នុងឆ្នាំបន្ទាប់  ចំនួនកូនអណ្ដើកហ្លួងនឹងកាន់តែមានការកើនឡើងជាបន្តបន្ទាប់។» អណ្ដើកហ្លួង ដែលមានឈ្មោះវិទ្យាសាស្ត្រថា Southern River Terrapin (Batagur affinis) ស្ថិតក្នុងប្រភេទអណ្ដើកគោក និងទឹកសាបចំនួន ២៥ប្រភេទដែលជិតផុតពូជបំផុតនៅលើពិភពលោក។ ប្រភេទអណ្ដើកនេះ ត្រូវបានកត់ត្រាក្នុងបញ្ជីក្រហមរបស់អង្គការ IUCN ថាជាប្រភេទអណ្ដើកជិតផុតពូជបំផុត និងត្រូវបានចាត់ទុកជាប្រភេទល្មូនតំណាងឲ្យប្រទេសកម្ពុជា ដែលបានកំណត់ក្នុងព្រះរាជក្រិត្យឆ្នាំ២០០៥។ ក្រុមអ្នកអភិរក្សជឿថា អណ្ដើកហ្លួងនេះ បានផុតពូជអស់ហើយនៅក្នុងប្រទេសកម្ពុជា តែរហូតដល់ឆ្នាំ ២០០០ រដ្ឋបាលជលផល និងអង្គការ WCS      បា​នរកឃើញសារជាថ្មីនូវប្រភេទអណ្ដើកហ្លួងនេះមួយចំនួនតូចនៅសេសសល់តាមដងព្រែកស្រែអំបិល។ ការចាប់ និងការជួញដូរអណ្ដើកហ្លួងសម្រាប់បរិភោគនិងធ្វើជាឱសថបុរាណ ការនេសាទខុសច្បាប់ ការបាត់បង់ទីជម្រក ការធ្វើអាជីវកម្មខ្សាច់ និងការកាប់បំផ្លាញព្រៃលិចទឹកនៅតាមប្រព័ន្ធព្រែកស្រែអំបិល បាននឹងកំពុងតែគម្រាមកំហែងដល់ការរស់រាន និងការបង្កកំណើតរបស់សត្វប្រភេទនេះ។ លោក អ៊ុក វិបុល ប្រធាននាយកដ្ឋានអភិរក្សជលផល បានមានប្រសាសន៍ថា «យើងមានមោទនភាពណាស់ដែលយើងទទួលបានកូនអណ្ដើកហ្លួងយ៉ាងច្រើនក្នុងរដូវពងកូនក្នុងឆ្នាំ២០២៣នេះ។ នេះជាក្ដីសង្ឃឹមដ៏ធំធេងរបស់យើងដើម្បីស្ដារចំនួនប្រភេទសត្វដ៏កម្រជិតផុតពូជនេះ ក្នុងប្រទេសកម្ពុជា។ រដ្ឋបាលជលផលសូមធ្វើការលើកទឹកចិត្តនិងគាំទ្រពេញទំហឹង ក្នុងការបន្ដនូវកម្មវិធីបង្កាត់ពូជ ក៏ដូចជាជម្រុញឱ្យមានការសហការកាន់តែចិត្តស្និទរវាងអាជ្ញាធរ និងសហគមន៍មូលដ្ឋានដើម្បីអភិរក្សសត្វប្រភេទនេះឱ្យកាន់តែមានភាពប្រសើឡើង  ហើយយើងសង្ឃឹមថា អណ្តើកហ្លួងដែលជាប្រភេទជិតផុតពូជនេះនឹងមានវត្តមានរស់នៅយូរអង្វែងសម្រាប់កូនចៅជំនាន់ក្រោយៗទៀត។» ក្រោមការគាំទ្រថវិកាដោយ Mandai Nature, Turtle Survival Alliance, Alan and Patricia Koval Foundation,  អង្គការ WCS បាននិងកំពុងសហការជាមួយរដ្ឋបាលជលផលនៃក្រសួងកសិកម្ម រុក្ខាប្រមាញ់ និងនេសាទ និងមជ្ឈមណ្ឌលអង្គរសម្រាប់ការអភិរក្សជីវៈចម្រុះ (ACCB)  បាននឹងកំពុងតែអនុវត្តសកម្មភាពអភិរក្សសំខាន់ៗមួយចំនួន ដើម្បីទប់ស្កាត់រាល់បទល្មើសនានាដែលកើតមានឡើងក្នុងតំបន់ការពារនិងអភិរក្សអណ្ដើកហ្លួងតាមប្រព័ន្ធព្រែកស្រែអំបិល ក្នុងគោលបំណងដើម្បីស្ដារនិងបង្កើនចំនួនអណ្ដើកហ្លួងឡើងវិញក្នុងទីជម្រកធម្មជាតិ តាមរយៈការងារអភិរក្សនៅតាមដងព្រែក ការតាមដានការបំលាស់ទី និងកម្មវិធីចិញ្ចឹម ថែទាំ និងបង្កាត់ពូជ។ លើសពីនេះទៅទៀត ដើម្បីជម្រុញឱ្យមានការចូលរួមពីសហគមន៍មូលដ្ឋាននៅក្នុងការងារ   អភិរក្សសត្វដ៏កម្រនេះ អង្គការ WCS  បានផ្ដួចផ្ដើមនូវឱកាសផ្សេងៗ ដើម្បីឱ្យពួកគាត់បានចូលរួមដូចជា  គម្រោងស្រាវជ្រាវធនធានជលផល និងគម្រោងលើកលើកស្ទួយជីវភាពសហគមន៍ជាដើម។ បច្ចុប្បន្ន មជ្ឈមណ្ឌលអភិរក្សសត្វល្មូនកោះកុង មានអណ្តើកហ្លួងចំនួន ២៨១ក្បាល  ក្នុងនោះអណ្តើកហ្លួងមេពូជសម្រាប់កម្មវិធីបង្កាត់ពូជចំនួន ៥០ក្បាល និងអណ្ដើកហ្លួងវ័យជំទង់ និងទើបតែញាស់ចំនួន២៣១ក្បាល។ ចាប់តាំងពី ២០១៥មក អង្គការសមាគមអភិរក្សសត្វព្រៃ បានលែងអណ្ដើកហ្លួងវ័យជំទង់ និងពេញវ័យចូលទីជម្រកធម្មជាតិវិញចំនួន ១៦៦ក្បាលដើម្បីបង្កើនចំនួនសត្វប្រភេទនេះនៅក្នុងទីជម្រកធម្មជាតិ។ ដើម្បីទទួលបានរូបថតកូនអណ្ដើកហ្លួង និងសកម្មភាពក្រុមការងារអង្គការ WCS  សូមចុចលើតំណនេះ https://bit.ly/3Mcv7pl.   ### aromeo Mon, 22 May 2023 02:22:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:19103 https://cambodia.wcs.org/About-Us/Latest-News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/19102/Record-Number-of-Royal-Turtle-Hatchlings-Born-at-WCS-Cambodias-Koh-Kong-Reptile-Conservation-Center.aspx#Comments 0 https://cambodia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=8496&ModuleID=17510&ArticleID=19102 https://cambodia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=19102&PortalID=133&TabID=8496 Record Number of Royal Turtle Hatchlings Born at WCS Cambodia's Koh Kong Reptile Conservation Center https://cambodia.wcs.org/About-Us/Latest-News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/19102/Record-Number-of-Royal-Turtle-Hatchlings-Born-at-WCS-Cambodias-Koh-Kong-Reptile-Conservation-Center.aspx           SRE AMBEL, Cambodia, May 22, 2023 - In an extraordinary achievement for conservation efforts, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Cambodia reports a record-breaking 122 Royal Turtle hatchlings at the Koh Kong Reptile Conservation Center (KKRCC) during the 2023 breeding season. This year, KKRCC collected 21 nests with a total of 272 eggs. From these, 122 Royal Turtles successfully hatched, a significant increase from the previous year, which saw nine nests and 81 eggs produce 31 hatchlings. "This is a true conservation success story," said Christopher Poyser, Koh Kong Reptile Conservation Center Manager. "The substantial increase in hatchlings is a testament to our hard work and commitment to conserving this critically endangered species. We are optimistic about next year’s breeding season and expect the number of hatchlings to continue to increase." The Royal Turtle, scientifically known as the Southern River Terrapin (Batagur affinis), is listed on the IUCN Red List as Critically Endangered and is among the world's 25 most endangered freshwater turtles and tortoises. In 2005, it was designated as Cambodia's National Reptile by a Royal Decree, further highlighting the importance of its conservation. The primary threats to the Royal Turtle include targeted hunting, incidental capture in fishing gear for local consumption and international trade, and destruction of its nesting habitat through sand extraction, deforestation, and land grabbing. To combat these threats, WCS Cambodia, in long-term partnership with the Fisheries Administration (FiA) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) and Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity (ACCB), and financially supported by Mandai Nature, Turtle Survival Alliance, and Alan and Patricia Koval Foundation, implements various conservation interventions. These efforts aim to restore the wild populations of Royal Turtles through both in-situ and ex-situ conservation methods and monitored releases. Additionally, WCS develops opportunities for local communities to participate in the conservation of the river system. Mr. Ouk Vibol, Director of the Fisheries Conservation Department, said, “We are very proud to learn that many hatchlings hatched from the center this year. This is a new hope for restoring the species in Cambodia. We strongly encourage and support the continuation of this captive breeding program to restore this species in the future, and we hope this species will survive for our next generation. For the field program, I strongly hope that local people and authorities work closely together to protect the critical habitat for this species." KKRCC currently holds 281 Royal Turtles, including 50 adults for breeding and 231 sub-adults, juveniles, and hatchlings. Since 2015, WCS Cambodia has reintroduced 166 young adult Royal Turtles into the wild in Sre Ambel, contributing further to the conservation of this critical species. For more photos of the hatchlings and the WCS team at work, please visit https://bit.ly/3Mcv7pl.    About WCS Cambodia Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Cambodia is dedicated to saving wildlife and wild places in Cambodia through science, conservation action, and inspiring people to value nature. WCS has been working in Cambodia since 1999, focusing on conserving key wildlife species and their habitats. For more information, please visit https://cambodia.wcs.org/. aromeo Mon, 22 May 2023 02:18:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:19102 https://cambodia.wcs.org/About-Us/Latest-News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/18896/First-US-Diplomat-Designated-to-Advocate-for-Global-Biodiversity-Named-President-and-CEO-of-the-Wildlife-Conservation-Society.aspx#Comments 0 https://cambodia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=8496&ModuleID=17510&ArticleID=18896 https://cambodia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=18896&PortalID=133&TabID=8496 First US Diplomat Designated to Advocate for Global Biodiversity, Named President and CEO of the Wildlife Conservation Society https://cambodia.wcs.org/About-Us/Latest-News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/18896/First-US-Diplomat-Designated-to-Advocate-for-Global-Biodiversity-Named-President-and-CEO-of-the-Wildlife-Conservation-Society.aspx We are thrilled to announce that Monica P. Medina has been appointed as the new Wildlife Conservation Society President and CEO. Monica makes history as the first woman to serve in this role, and we couldn't be more honored to have her join our mission to save wildlife and wild places. With an impressive background in environmental diplomacy, Monica has been instrumental in establishing it as a foreign policy priority at the U.S. Department of State. As Assistant Secretary for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (OES) since September 2021, she has tackled some of the most urgent global challenges we face today. At WCS, Monica will leverage the power of our four zoos, an aquarium, and our Global Conservation programs across nearly 60 countries to continue our vital work in conservation. Alistair Mould, WCS Cambodia Acting Country Director, shared his enthusiasm: "I am confident that with Monica's expertise and leadership, we will accelerate progress on crucial conservation policies and actions, such as Keo Seima REDD+ while fostering a harmonious relationship between nature and people. Her vision and commitment will drive us forward in our collective mission." U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken praised Monica's accomplishments, stating, "She has led U.S. efforts on some of the most urgent global challenges we face today: a warming planet, biodiversity loss, water insecurity, and the threats posed by pollution and illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing." Join us in welcoming Monica P. Medina to the WCS family!  For more information, read the official WCS Statement: https://bit.ly/3meZdzy And the U.S. Department of State Statement: https://bit.ly/3KepplJ aromeo Thu, 06 Apr 2023 06:53:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:18896 https://cambodia.wcs.org/About-Us/Latest-News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/18834/-WCS----.aspx#Comments 0 https://cambodia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=8496&ModuleID=17510&ArticleID=18834 https://cambodia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=18834&PortalID=133&TabID=8496 អង្គការ WCS និងរដ្ឋបាលជលផលលែងអណ្ដើកហ្លួង ២០ក្បាលចូលក្នុងទីជម្រកធម្មជាតិ https://cambodia.wcs.org/About-Us/Latest-News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/18834/-WCS----.aspx ស្រែអំបិល (ថ្ងៃទី ២២ ខែមីនា ឆ្នាំ២០២៣)៖ អង្គការសមាគមអភិរក្សសត្វព្រៃកម្ពុជា សហការជាមួយ Mandai Nature និងរដ្ឋបាលជលផលនៃក្រសួងកសិកម្ម រុក្ខាប្រមាញ់ និងនេសាទ បានលែងអណ្ដើកហ្លួងឬអណ្ដើកសរសៃចំនួន ២០ក្បាលចូលក្នុងទីជម្រកធម្មជាតិតាមប្រព័ន្ធព្រែកស្រែអំបិលស្ថិតក្នុងស្រុកស្រែអំបិល ខេត្តកោះកុង។ លោក សោម ស៊ីថា ប្រធានគម្រោងអភិរក្សអណ្ដើកហ្លួងនៃអង្គការ WCS បានថ្លែងថា «អណ្ដើកហ្លួងទាំង ២០ក្បាល (ឬហៅតាមឈ្មោះវិទ្យាសាស្រ្តថា the Southern River Terrapins (Batagur affinis) ដែលបានលែងថ្ងៃនេះ ត្រូវបានក្រុមអភិរក្សប្រមូលយកក្រោយពីបានញាស់ពីសំបុកដែលបានការពារតាមដងព្រែកស្រែអំបិល​ ​និងព្រែកកំពង់សីលា ក្នុងខេត្តកោះកុង និងព្រះសីហនុ ចន្លោះពីឆ្នាំ២០០៦ ដល់ ២០១៦ បន្ទាប់មកបញ្ជូនទៅកាន់មជ្ឈមណ្ឌលអភិរក្សសត្វល្មូនកោះកុង ដើម្បីចិញ្ចឹមថែទាំឲ្យធំលូតលាស់មុននឹងលែងចូលទៅក្នុងទីជម្រកធម្មជាតិរបស់វាវិញ។»   លោក អ៊ុក វិបុល ប្រធាននាយកដ្ឋានអភិរក្សជលផល បានមានប្រសាសន៍ថា «ខ្ញុំបាទសូមសាទរយ៉ាងក្រៃលែងចំពោះការចូលរួមពីអាជ្ញាធរមូលដ្ឋាន សហគមន៍មូលដ្ឋាន បងប្អូនជាប្រជាពលរដ្ឋ និងជាពិសេស អង្គការ WCS ដែលបាននិងកំពុងស្ដារប្រភេទដែលកំពុងរងគ្រោះនេះឲ្យមានវត្តមានក្នុងដែនទឹកធម្មជាតិនេះឡើងវិញ។» លោកបានបន្ថែមថា «ក្នុងឆ្នាំ២០១៩ ក្រសួងកសិកម្ម រុក្ខាប្រមាញ់ និងនេសាទ បានសម្រេចដាក់បញ្ចូលប្រព័ន្ធព្រែកស្រែអំបិលនិងព្រៃលិចទឹកតាមដងព្រែក ក្នុងប្រកាសលេខ ១៣៣ ស្ដីពីការបង្កើតតំបន់គ្រប់គ្រងអណ្ដើកហ្លួង ឬអណ្ដើកសរសៃ និងក្រពើត្រី។ ដូច្នេះ រាល់ការកាប់ទន្ទ្រានព្រៃលិចទឹកតាមដងព្រែកដើម្បីយកធ្វើជាកម្មសិទ្ធិផ្ទាល់ខ្លួន គឺជាទង្វើល្មើសច្បាប់ជលផល។» លោកវិបុល ក៏បានក្រើនរំលឹកដល់សហគមន៍មូលដ្ឋាន ឲ្យជៀសវាងការជួញដូរប្រភេទសត្វដ៏កម្រនេះ។ បណ្ឌិត សុនចា ឡូហ្ស (Dr. Sonja Luz) នាយក Mandai Nature «យើងខ្ញុំសូមចូលរួមអបអរសាទររាជរដ្ឋាភិបាលកម្ពុជា អាជ្ញាធរមូលដ្ឋាន និងអង្គការ WCS ដែលបានខិតខំប្រឹងប្រែងរួមគ្នាការពារនិងអភិរក្សអណ្ដើកហ្លួងទាំងនេះ។ ការលែងសអណ្ដើកហ្លួងបន្ថែមទៀតចូលទៅក្នុងទីជម្រកធម្មជាតិ បានបង្ហាញពីជោគជ័យនៃកិច្ចប្រឹងប្រែងអភិរក្សដោយមានការចូលរួមបានយ៉ាងល្អពីគ្រប់ភាគីពាក់ព័ន្ធ។ ការចូលរួមយ៉ាងសកម្មរបស់អាជ្ញាធរមូលដ្ឋាននិងសហគមន៍ ពិតជាមានសារៈសខាន់ក្នុងការធានាដល់កំណើនប្រភេទនេះនៅក្នុងទីជម្រកធម្មជាតិ។ អណ្ដើកប្រភេទនេះ ស្ថិតក្នុងប្រភេទអណ្ដើកគោក និងទឹកសាបចំនួន ២៥ប្រភេទដែលជិតផុតពូជបំផុតនៅលើពិភពលោក។ ប្រភេទអណ្ដើកនេះ ត្រូវបានកត់ត្រាក្នុងបញ្ជីក្រហមរបស់អង្គការ IUCN ថាជាប្រភេទអណ្ដើកជិតផុតពូជបំផុត និងត្រូវបានចាត់ទុកជាប្រភេទល្មូនតំណាងឲ្យប្រទេសកម្ពុជា ដែលបានកំណត់ក្នុងព្រះរាជក្រិត្យឆ្នាំ២០០៥។ ក្រុមអ្នកអភិរក្សជឿថា អណ្ដើកហ្លួងនេះ បានផុតពូជអស់ហើយនៅក្នុងប្រទេសកម្ពុជា តែរហូតដល់ឆ្នាំ ២០០០ រដ្ឋបាលជលផល និងអង្គការ WCS បា​នរកឃើញសារជាថ្មីនូវប្រភេទអណ្ដើកហ្លួងនេះមួយចំនួនតូចនៅសេសសល់តាមដងព្រែកស្រែអំបិល។ ចាប់តាំងពីពេលនោះមក អង្គការ WCS និងរដ្ឋបាលជលផល បានសហការគ្នាការពារប្រភេទសត្វអណ្ដើកនេះកុំឲ្យផុតពូជ រួមមានកម្មវិធីការពារសំបុកអណ្ដើកហ្លួង ការចិញ្ចឹមថែទាំក្រោយពេលញាស់ ការពង្រឹងការអនុវត្តច្បាប់ ការពិនិត្យតាមដាន ការទប់ស្កាត់ការជួញដូរខុសច្បាប់ ការអប់រំផ្សព្វផ្សាយ និងការគាំទ្រលើជីវភាពរស់នៅរបស់សហគមន៍។ ការនេសាទខុសច្បាប់ ការបាត់បង់ទីជម្រក ការធ្វើអាជីវកម្មខ្សាច់ និងការកាប់បំផ្លាញព្រៃលិចទឹកនៅតាមប្រព័ន្ធព្រែកស្រែអំបិល បាននឹងកំពុងតែគម្រាមកំហែងដល់ការរស់រាន និងការបង្កកំណើតរបស់សត្វប្រភេទនេះ។ ការលែងអណ្ដើកនេះគឺជាផ្នែកមួយនៃគម្រោងអភិរក្សអណ្ដើកហ្លួងគាំទ្រដោយ សហភាពអឺរ៉ុប (២០១៩ - ២០២២) និងម្ចាស់ជំនួយផ្សេងទៀតមានដូចជា Mandai Nature, US Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Rainforest Trust, United States Forest Service, Allan & Patricia Koval Foundation, USAID Feed the Future, and Turtle Survival Alliance។ គម្រោងនេះអនុវត្តដោយអង្គការ WCS សហការជាមួយរដ្ឋបាលជលផល។ ការលែងអណ្ដើកហ្លួងនេះ គឺជាលទ្ធផលនៃកិច្ចប្រឹងប្រែងរយៈពេលជិតពីរទស្សវត្សរ៍ក្នុងការការពារសំបុកអណ្ដើក ការយកចិត្តទុកដាក់មើលថែទាំកូនអណ្ដើកទាំងអស់នៅក្នុងមជ្ឈមណ្ឌលអភិរក្សសត្វល្មូនកោះកុង និងការការពារសត្វអណ្ដើកនៅក្នុងសហគមន៍តាមដងព្រែកស្រែអំបិល ដែលគាំទ្រដោយម្ចាស់ជំនួយមានរាយនាមដូចខាងលើ។ ចាប់តាំងពីឆ្នាំ ២០១៥មក នេះជាការលែងអណ្ដើកហ្លួងលើកទីប្រាំពីរចូលក្នុងប្រព័ន្ធព្រែកស្រែអំបិល ដែលសរុបទាំងប្រាំពីរលើកនេះមានចំនួន ១៦៧ក្បាល។ រូបថត   ទំនាក់ទំនងព័ត៌មាន៖ លោក សោម ស៊ីថា ប្រធានគម្រោងអភិរក្សអណ្ដើកហ្លួង ទូរស័ព្ទ៖ ០៨៩ ៥៤២ ៣៣៣ ssom@wcs.org aromeo Wed, 22 Mar 2023 09:32:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:18834 https://cambodia.wcs.org/About-Us/Latest-News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/18832/20-Royal-Turtles-Released-Into-Their-Natural-Habitat.aspx#Comments 0 https://cambodia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=8496&ModuleID=17510&ArticleID=18832 https://cambodia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=18832&PortalID=133&TabID=8496 20 Royal Turtles Released Into Their Natural Habitat https://cambodia.wcs.org/About-Us/Latest-News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/18832/20-Royal-Turtles-Released-Into-Their-Natural-Habitat.aspx Sre Ambel (March 22, 2023) – The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), in collaboration with Mandai Nature and the Fisheries Administration (FiA) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF), released 20 critically endangered Royal Turtles into the Sre Ambel River system in Koh Kong Province's Sre Ambel district today. As they are globally known, the Southern River Terrapins (Batagur affinis) were gathered from their nests along the Sre Ambel and Kampong Leu Rivers in Koh Kong and Preah Sihanouk provinces between 2006 and 2015. They were then sent to the Koh Kong Reptile Conservation Center, where they were cared for and prepared for life in the wild, according to WCS Landscape Project Manager Som Sitha. The 20 turtles, consisting of 10 females and 10 males, are between 5 and 16 years old. Each turtle was implanted with a microchip, and an acoustic transmitter was attached to its marginal scute, allowing the conservation team to monitor and track their movements through the river system. Mr. Ouk Vibol, Director of the Fisheries Conservation Department at the Fisheries Administration, said, “The collaboration between local authorities, communities, and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) in their efforts to conserve our critically endangered turtles in natural water bodies.” He added, “The Sre Ambel River System and its surrounding riparian forest are protected under Prakas No. 133, issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF) in 2019, which makes cutting, clearing, and grabbing of this habitat illegal. Mr. Vibol also called on local residents to avoid capturing and trading this important species. As one of the long-standing supporters of this conservation project, Dr Sonja Luz, CEO of Mandai Nature, congratulated the WCS team on achieving yet another conservation milestone with the essential support of local authorities and communities. She said, “The ongoing releases of these Critically Endangered turtles into their native habitat demonstrates the importance of ex situ management in species protection and collaborative efforts between the various stakeholders. Together with strong involvement and commitment from various stakeholders, we are hopeful that the turtles’ population can soon thrive in the wild.” The Royal Turtle, among the world's 25 most endangered tortoises and freshwater turtles, is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. It was designated as Cambodia's National Reptile by a Royal Decree in 2005. The species was believed to be extinct until 2000, when a small population was rediscovered in the Sre Ambel River by the FiA and WCS. Since then, WCS and FiA have been working together to protect the species from extinction through various conservation activities, including a nest protection program, head-starting of young turtles, law enforcement, research and monitoring, prevention of illegal trade, and outreach and livelihood support. The species, however, still faces significant threats, such as sand dredging, illegal fishing, overexploitation, and habitat loss due to land grabbing and forest clearance along waterways. The turtle release is a component of the Royal Turtle Conservation project, supported by our long-term conservation partner Mandai Nature, the European Union’s Partners Against Wildlife Crime, US Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Rainforest Trust, United States Forest Service, Allan & Patricia Koval Foundation, USAID Feed the Future, and Turtle Survival Alliance. The project is implemented by WCS in partnership with the Fisheries Administration (FiA). This release marks the culmination of over two decades of turtle nest protection, head-starting young turtles at the Koh Kong Reptile Conservation Centre, and community-based protection efforts in the Sre Ambel River, funded by the donors mentioned above. Since 2015, this is the seventh release of Royal Turtles into the Sre Ambel River system, bringing the total number of turtles reintroduced to the wild to 167. ### For high-resolution press photos from today's release, please click here. For more information, please contact:  Mr. Som Sitha Landscape Project Manager Wildlife Conservation Society Cambodia +855 89 542 333 ssitha@wcs.org aromeo Wed, 22 Mar 2023 06:59:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:18832 https://cambodia.wcs.org/About-Us/Latest-News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/18709/Stork-Conservation-Milestone-Achieved-as-WCS-and-ACCB-Release-Rescued-and-Captive-Raised-Birds-into-the-Wild.aspx#Comments 0 https://cambodia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=8496&ModuleID=17510&ArticleID=18709 https://cambodia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=18709&PortalID=133&TabID=8496 Stork Conservation Milestone Achieved as WCS and ACCB Release Rescued and Captive-Raised Birds into the Wild https://cambodia.wcs.org/About-Us/Latest-News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/18709/Stork-Conservation-Milestone-Achieved-as-WCS-and-ACCB-Release-Rescued-and-Captive-Raised-Birds-into-the-Wild.aspx 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 aromeo Wed, 15 Feb 2023 14:00:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:18709 https://cambodia.wcs.org/About-Us/Latest-News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/18710.aspx#Comments 0 https://cambodia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=8496&ModuleID=17510&ArticleID=18710 https://cambodia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=18710&PortalID=133&TabID=8496 ក្រុមអ្នកអភិរក្សសត្វព្រៃបានលែងសត្វត្រុំ និងត្រដក់តូច ចូលក្នុងទីជម្រកធម្មជាតិវិញ https://cambodia.wcs.org/About-Us/Latest-News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/18710.aspx ព្រះវិហារ (ថ្ងៃទី១៦ ខែកុម្ភៈ ឆ្នាំ២០២៣) - អង្គការ​ WCS សហការជាមួយមជ្ឈមណ្ឌលអង្គរសម្រាប់ការអភិរក្សជីវៈចម្រុះ (ACCB) និង​មន្ទីរបរិស្ថានខេត្តព្រះវិហារ និងដោយមានការគាំទ្រពីសហគមន៍មូលដ្ឋាន សត្វត្រុំ / កុកស-ក ឬ កុកពាក់អំបោះ (Ciconia episcopus) មួយក្បាល និងសត្វត្រដក់តូច (Leptoptilos javanicus) មួយក្បាល ត្រូវបានលែងចូលទៅក្នុងតំបន់ការពារធម្មជាតិវិញ កាលពីខែ មករា ឆ្នាំ ២០២៣។ សត្វត្រុំ ឬហៅថាកុកពាក់អំបោះ ត្រូវបានកត់ត្រានៅបញ្ជីក្រហមរបស់អង្គការ IUCN ជាប្រភេទជិតទទួលរងគ្រោះ។ ចំណែកឯ សត្វត្រដក់តូច ត្រូវបានចាត់ជាប្រភេទងាយរងគ្រោះ។ ក្រុមការងារអង្គការ WCS និងមន្ទីរបរិស្ថានខេត្តព្រះវិហារ បានជួយសង្គ្រោះសត្វត្រុំមួយក្បាលនេះកាលពីខែវិច្ឆិកា ឆ្នាំ២០២២ បន្ទាប់ពីបានឃើញវាមានសភាពស្គមស្គាំងនិងអស់កម្លាំងខ្លាំង។ បន្ទាប់មក ក្រុមការងារក៏បានបញ្ជូនវាទៅកាន់ ACCB ដើម្បីពិនិត្យសុខភាព។ ក្រុមការងារ ACCB បានពិនិត្យឃើញថា​ សត្វត្រុំនេះមានជំងឺប៉ារ៉ាស៊ីតបក្សី (មេរោគដង្កូវព្រូនល្អិតៗ) និងបានព្យាបាល និងថែទាំ​វាយ៉ាងយកចិត្តទុកដាក់។ ចំណែកឯ​សត្វត្រដក់តូចវិញ ត្រូវបានមេបារបស់វាចិញ្ចឹមនៅក្នុង ACCB តាំងពីតូច។ ការលែងសត្វស្លាបទាំងនេះចូលក្នុងទីជម្រកធម្មជាតិវិញ គឺជាការរួមចំណែកដ៏សំខាន់មួយក្នុងការការពារនិងអភិរក្សប្រភេទសត្វ​ទាំងនេះឱ្យនៅគង់វង្ស។ មុននឹងរៀបចំលែងសត្វស្លាប​ទាំងពីរចូលទៅក្នុងទីជម្រកធម្មជាតិវិញ ក្រុមការងារបានបង្ហាត់បង្រៀនសត្វទាំងពីរឱ្យចេះរកចាប់ចំណីស៊ីដោយខ្លួនឯងដោយបញ្ជូនពួកវាឱ្យទៅរស់នៅក្នុងទីជម្រកសិប្បនិម្មិតក្នុងមជ្ឈមណ្ឌល ដែលក្នុងនោះមានស្រះទឹកនិងត្រីរស់ មែកឈើសម្រាប់ពួកវាទុំ និងមានព្រៃឈើបាំងជុំវិញដើម្បីឱ្យពួកវាលែងស៊ាំនឹងមនុស្ស។ ភាពជោគជ័យក្នុងការលែងសត្វស្លាបទាំងពីរនេះ បានឆ្លុះបញ្ចាំងឱ្យឃើញអំពីកិច្ចខិតខំប្រឹងប្រែងរបស់ ACCB, WCS និងមន្ទីរបរិស្ថានខេត្ត ព្រមទាំងការគាំទ្រពីសហគមន៍មូលដ្ឋាន។ យើងខ្ញុំសូមកោតសរសើរចំពោះការប្តេជ្ញាចិត្តរបស់ពួកគាត់ក្នុងការការពារនិងអភិរក្សប្រភេទសត្វងាយរងគ្រោះទាំងនេះ៕ វីដេអូសកម្មភាពលែងមាននៅទីនេះ៖ https://fb.watch/iJBool_ssq/ 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 aromeo Wed, 15 Feb 2023 14:00:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:18710 https://cambodia.wcs.org/About-Us/Latest-News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/18611/Captive-Royal-turtles-lay-54-eggs-at-Koh-Kong-Reptile-Conservation-Center.aspx#Comments 0 https://cambodia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=8496&ModuleID=17510&ArticleID=18611 https://cambodia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=18611&PortalID=133&TabID=8496 Captive Royal turtles lay 54 eggs at Koh Kong Reptile Conservation Center https://cambodia.wcs.org/About-Us/Latest-News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/18611/Captive-Royal-turtles-lay-54-eggs-at-Koh-Kong-Reptile-Conservation-Center.aspx Koh Kong - Over the last few days of January 2023, the WCS Turtle Conservation Team collected 54 Royal Turtle eggs from four clutches deposited on an artificial sand bank beside a breeding pond at the Koh Kong Reptile Conservation Center (KKRCC). The eggs were laid on the night of January 16 and 18, according to images obtained from a camera trap installed on the sand bank. This is the third consecutive year that Royal Turtles have laid eggs in captivity in Cambodia. The team expects to collect more eggs of captive turtles at the Centre during the 2023 nesting season which began in January and will continue through March. Last year, the team found 81 eggs from nine clutches on the same sand bank. Captive breeding is one of several conservation strategies used by WCS Cambodia and Fisheries Administration to restore the population of the Royal Turtle in Cambodia. KKRCC currently holds 184 Royal Turtles, and 147 young adult Royal Turtles have been released back into the wild since 2015. Sub-adult and adult turtles at the KKRCC are kept in four breeding ponds, whilst younger animals are raised in large plastic tanks before transferal to the breeding ponds. The Royal Turtle, scientifically known as Southern River Terrapin (Batagur affinis), is one of the world’s 25 most endangered freshwater turtles and tortoises. It is listed on the IUCN Red List as Critically Endangered, and has been designated as Cambodia’s National Reptile by a Royal Decree issued in 2005. Thanks Mandai Nature, Allan & Patricia Kaval Foundation, and TSA for the continued financial and technical support for the center.         rleak Thu, 19 Jan 2023 07:56:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:18611 https://cambodia.wcs.org/About-Us/Latest-News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/17965/Aquaculture-Project-Contributes-to-Reduction-of-Illegal-Fishing.aspx#Comments 0 https://cambodia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=8496&ModuleID=17510&ArticleID=17965 https://cambodia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=17965&PortalID=133&TabID=8496 Aquaculture Project Contributes to Reduction of Illegal Fishing https://cambodia.wcs.org/About-Us/Latest-News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/17965/Aquaculture-Project-Contributes-to-Reduction-of-Illegal-Fishing.aspx Illegal fishing is one of major threats to the conservation of fishery resources, especially the Critically Endangered Royal Turtles and the Cantor’s Giant Softshell Turtles. Since 2019, the European Union-Partners against Wildlife Crime is supporting WCS and CRDT in Cambodia, to enhance protection of these species. To this end, an aquaculture project was implemented by WCS and CRDT across 14 villages in Preah Sihanouk, Koh Kong, Kratie and Stung Treng provinces. Through this initiative, since 2019, 454 families received technical trainings on aquaculture and vegetable growing. Besides, 98 farmer families who largely depend on fishing received direct incentives to raise Clarius Catfish and Striped Pangasius, and grow vegetables at home. Concretely, each farmer received an in-kind support of between $60 and $400, depending on their own resources, to start up fish raising and vegetable gardening. That support comprised 2.8 kg of fish fingerlings (about 1,000 individuals), fish feed, plastic tent for building cages, a pair of watering cans and vegetable seeds. Kang Bour is the chief of Koh Kroach Community Fisheries, Sre Krasaing commune, Siem Bouk district of Stung Treng province. He joined a training course in June last year. With the support from the project, he raised 1,000 catfish fingerlings in a plastic pond for the first cycle that lasted 3 months. At the end of the cycle, he harvested his pond and collected 47 kg of catfish. He kept 12 kg for food, and sold the rest for 350,000 riels ($85). Having seen the success in the first cycle, Bour decided to continue the business by investing his own resources. As of June 2022, after 3 more cycles of fish raising and vegetable growing, her earned a total income of 820,000 riels ($200) and kept 148 kg of catfish for food. Kang Bour said that since he started his activity, he not only had enough fish and vegetables to eat, but also generated income to support his family of eight people. Moreover, Bour started playing a vital role in raising awareness on the conservation of the Cantor’s Giant Softshell Turtle in his village. He finally stopped fishing, given the success of his fish raising activity. There is 94% decrease in the number of threats compared to the baseline: 1threat/4km. 74% decrease in threats along the Mekong River and 76% decrease in Sre Ambel River System, according to SMART patrol data collected last June. This project is funded by the European Union-Partners against Wildlife Crime Project and Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropy and implemented by WCS. rleak Fri, 26 Aug 2022 02:53:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:17965 https://cambodia.wcs.org/About-Us/Latest-News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/17583/580-Iconic-Giant-Turtle-Hatchlings-Released-into-the-Mekong-River.aspx#Comments 0 https://cambodia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=8496&ModuleID=17510&ArticleID=17583 https://cambodia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=17583&PortalID=133&TabID=8496 580 Iconic Giant Turtle Hatchlings Released into the Mekong River https://cambodia.wcs.org/About-Us/Latest-News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/17583/580-Iconic-Giant-Turtle-Hatchlings-Released-into-the-Mekong-River.aspx Kratie (May 23, 2022)—To mark World Turtle Day, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) in collaboration with Fisheries Administration celebrates the conservation of the Critically Endangered Cantor’s Giant Softshell Turtles in Cambodia, by releasing 580 hatchlings into the wild​ along the Mekong River in Sambour district of Kratie province​. “With continuous support from our donors and good cooperation from the Fisheries Administration (FiA), plus strong commitments of our field staff and community nest protection team, WCS has made significant progress in conserving this critically endangered turtle species over the past years,” said Ken Sereyrotha, Country Program Director for WCS Cambodia. “However, this species is being threatened by illegal hunting and trafficking. In 2021, at least nine individuals were seen trading online and two were found dead by illegal fishing,” he said. In the 2022 nesting season, the community nest protection team found 63 nests with 2,155 eggs. From early March to 20th May 2022, 982 baby turtles hatched from 40 nests, of which 402 hatchlings were released into the wild, while the rest were released today. The conservation team await the fate of the remaining eggs, and they are hopeful that these remaining nests will show positive results. In the 2021 nesting season, the team found 66 nests with 2,528 eggs and released 1,300 hatchlings into the wild.​ Mr. Ouk Vibol, Director of the Department of Fisheries Conservation of Fisheries Administration, said: “We highly appreciate the participation of local authorities, community and WCS in the conservation of critically endangered turtles so that they can persist in the natural water bodies. All stakeholders should continue their efforts to conserve the threatened species, and those who still trade protected species will face legal action.” “Cambodia has an incredible wealth of species and habitats. The Giant Softshell Turtles is one of the species that need protection urgently. Joint conservation efforts of communities, authorities and WCS should continue, to help the wild population to recover”, said Clemens Beckers, representative of the EU Delegation in Cambodia. “We all have a common goal of saving this species from extinction, and the EU remains committed to working with our partners to achieve this,” he continued. Sharing the same deep pools along the Mekong River with Irrawaddy Dolphin and Mekong Giant Stingray, Cantor’s Giant Softshell Turtle is truely an iconic species in the Mekong River. The release of this flagship species will play a significant role in marking the return of one of the giant freshwater species from the brink of extinction. Cantor’s Giant Softshell Turtle, Pelochelys cantorii is classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Only a few records of the species exist in Laos and other countries, and it has disappeared across much of its former range in Vietnam and Thailand owing to poaching and trade of adult turtles and illegal collection of their eggs for food. In Cambodia, it was not observed in the wild by scientists between 2003 and 2007, until it was found on the Mekong River in between Kratie and Stung Treng.  WCS and FiA have been working to conserve the species since 2017 through disrupting the illegal capture and trade in freshwater turtles, a community-based nest protection program, and support to Community Fisheries and community development. WCS’s conservation of Cantor’s Giant Softshell Turtle is funded by the European Union- Partners against Wildlife Crime Project, Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies, and Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA). rleak Mon, 23 May 2022 06:53:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:17583 https://cambodia.wcs.org/About-Us/Latest-News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/17582/Thirty-Royal-Turtle-Babies-Hatch-in-Captivity-in-Cambodia.aspx#Comments 0 https://cambodia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=8496&ModuleID=17510&ArticleID=17582 https://cambodia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=17582&PortalID=133&TabID=8496 Thirty Royal Turtle Babies Hatch in Captivity in Cambodia https://cambodia.wcs.org/About-Us/Latest-News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/17582/Thirty-Royal-Turtle-Babies-Hatch-in-Captivity-in-Cambodia.aspx Koh Kong, Cambodia (20 May 2022) – Thirty Royal Turtle babies hatched in an artificial sand bank at the Koh Kong Reptile Conservation Center (KKRCC) last week. This is the second time that Royal Turtles have laid eggs in captivity in Cambodia. During the 2022 nesting season Royal Turtles in a captive-breeding group at KKRCC laid 81 eggs in nine clutches and 30 of them hatched. This compares favorably with 2021, when only one of 71 eggs in five clutches successfully hatched. At the same time, two captive females at the Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity (ACCB), partner of WCS’s second breeding colony, laid 16 eggs in two clutches. Unfortunately, only one of in total three fertile eggs successfully hatched and the hatchling has been transferred to KKRCC for head-starting, making a total of 31. “While breeding in nature is decreasing, we are encouraged by the success of our captive breeding program to ensure the long-term survival of the Royal Turtle.” said Som Sitha, WCS Landscape Project Manager. “This year’s nesting season none of the nests was found on the beach along the Sre Ambel River System within the Fisheries Management Area in Koh Kong and Preah Sihanouk provinces.” Dr. Steven G. Platt, Associate Conservation Herpetologist for WCS in Southeast Asia said, “This is one of the most exciting and significant developments in Royal Turtle conservation in Cambodia. With this successful hatching of so many baby turtles, the long-term survival prospects for the Royal Turtle suddenly got much better.” Dr Sonja Luz, Deputy CEO at Mandai Nature said, “This is extremely encouraging news. The success of these hatchlings could not have been done without an all-hands approach, involving the team on-ground and support from various partners involved. This active contribution to species recovery plans is also testimony to the important role ex-situ management plays for species protection.” “The hatching of these turtles underscores the importance of building breeding colonies of at-risk species in their country of origin,” said Andrew Walde, Chief Operating Officer of Turtle Survival Alliance. “With so few adult Southern River Terrapins successfully nesting in the wild in Cambodia, producing successive generations of this Critically Endangered species in captivity is the best chance we have at not only ensuring their survival in the country, but repopulating terrapins to their native habitat.” “Ex-situ management is increasingly used to prevent species extinction and this year’s breeding result is a promising sign for the future of the captive breeding program for the Royal Turtle and a significant development in the conservation of the species in Cambodia”, said Christel Griffioen, ACCB Country Director. Mr. Ouk Vibol- Director of Department of Fisheries Conservation said, “We are very proud to get this great result. We strongly encourage and support the continuation of this captive breeding program for restoring this species in the future and we hope this species will survive for our next generation.” WCS Cambodia has been working with the Fisheries Administration (FiA) of Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) since 2000 to conserve the Critically Endangered Southern River Terrapin (Batagur affinis), also known as Royal Turtle in Cambodia. After rediscovering the species in 2000 in the Sre Ambel River system- currently designated as Fisheries Management Area, Southwest Cambodia, WCS started the nest protection program by recruiting former egg collectors to become the turtle nest protectors. In 2006, a head-starting facility was built in Koh Kong’s Sre Ambel district to accommodate hatchlings collected from the field. Each year all of the hatchlings are transferred to the KKRCC, WCS’s dedicated turtle conservation facility, which was established in 2016. On the ground, critical conservation interventions are also being implemented including education and awareness raising, law enforcement, livelihood development, capacity building of Community Fisheries, post-release monitoring, and fisheries research. KKRCC currently holds 186 Royal Turtles. 147 young adult Royal Turtles have been released back into the wild since 2015, including the release of 51 turtles in late 2021. Sub-adult and adult turtles at the KKRCC are kept in four breeding ponds, while younger animals are raised in large plastic tanks before transferal to the breeding ponds. The hatchlings produced by the captive-breeding group at KKRCC will be “head-started” for approximately four years to a size less vulnerable to predators and then released into the Sre Ambel River. Mandai Nature, Alan and Patricia Koval Foundation, Turtle Survival Alliance, Allwetterzoo Münster, WCS Canada, and private donors are key partners providing funding to the breeding program. Funding for the field activities comes from European Union- Partners against Wildlife Crime, Mandai Nature, Rainforest Trust, US Forest Service, USAID-Feed the Future, and previous donors. ### WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society) MISSION: WCS saves wildlife and wild places worldwide through science, conservation action, education, and inspiring people to value nature. To achieve our mission, WCS, based at the Bronx Zoo, harnesses the power of its Global Conservation Program in nearly 60 nations and in all the world’s oceans and its five wildlife parks in New York City, visited by 4 million people annually. WCS combines its expertise in the field, zoos, and aquarium to achieve its conservation mission. Visit: newsroom.wcs.org Follow: @WCSNewsroom. For more information: 347-840-1242. ACCB (Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity) is a species conservation centre of the Allwetterzoo Münster, Germany, located in Phnom Kulen National Park. ACCB focuses on the ex-situ conservation of threatened wildlife, mainly chelonians and endangered bird species, native to Cambodia through collaboration with government authorities and various national and international organizations. Furthermore, ACCB provides environmental education presenting a learning venue for local communities, national and international visitors and government staff. Mandai Nature Mandai Nature is dedicated to protecting threatened species, nurturing healthy ecosystems and creating vibrant communities where wildlife and people can thrive and co-exist, in Singapore and Southeast Asia. Through collaborations with like-minded partners, Mandai Nature aims to protect threatened species from extinction, especially those endemic to Asia and often overlooked, including addressing issues of wildlife trade and the fragmentation of habitats.  In driving nature-based solutions, it focuses on green and blue carbon, while protecting and restoring tropical forests, mangroves and peatlands to help mitigate climate change. It is also working closely with local communities and organisations to create economic opportunities and invest in building skills and conservation capacity on the ground. Mandai Nature hosts the Asian Species Action Partnership (ASAP) secretariat as well as the Conservation Planning Specialist Group (CPSG) Southeast Asia Resource Centre. Mandai Nature was jointly established by Temasek and Mandai Wildlife Group. More information can be found at www.mandainature.org Link to images: https://wcs1-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/rleak_wcs_org/EiSN32P4AaRPj7jp38Yk6h8BNRelmdn7ladgSaGBlAjViQ?e=qQJGnO Or this link: http://gofile.me/2OPdo/gozczmWQm    (Photo credit: Chris Poyser, KKRCC Manager) rleak Fri, 20 May 2022 04:44:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:17582 https://cambodia.wcs.org/About-Us/Latest-News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/17587/Wild-Health-Net-Transition-Meeting.aspx#Comments 0 https://cambodia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=8496&ModuleID=17510&ArticleID=17587 https://cambodia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=17587&PortalID=133&TabID=8496 Wild Health Net Transition Meeting https://cambodia.wcs.org/About-Us/Latest-News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/17587/Wild-Health-Net-Transition-Meeting.aspx (Phnom Penh) - Last week, the WCS Cambodia Wildlife Health Program organized a final meeting for the DTRA-supported WildHealthNet initiative. The purpose of the meeting was to share WildHealthNet activities and achievements over the last 3 years and discuss opportunities for network partners to maintain wildlife health surveillance during this transition to ensure long-term sustainability of the network. WildHealthNet was initiated in late 2018 with the objective to support capacity building within government agencies to implement a Wildlife Health Surveillance Network in the Lower Mekong Region (Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam) in order to detect, monitor, and report especially dangerous pathogens in wildlife. Since July 2019, over 100 wildlife mortality and morbidity events have been detected across the country and over 400 network participants have been trained. Some accomplishments include the detection of African swine fever in wild boar, multi-sector One Health response to highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 outbreaks, and collaboration with the animal health department for a lumpy skin disease vaccination campaign in cattle to protect endangered wild ruminants. This meeting was an opportunity for network participants to reflect on the development of the Wildlife Health Surveillance Network in Cambodia and how it can be sustained in the future through ongoing collaboration and engagement across government agencies and One Health partners. rleak Fri, 13 May 2022 07:48:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:17587 https://cambodia.wcs.org/About-Us/Latest-News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/17469/Royal-turtle-lays-80-eggs-in-Koh-Kong.aspx#Comments 0 https://cambodia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=8496&ModuleID=17510&ArticleID=17469 https://cambodia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=17469&PortalID=133&TabID=8496 Royal turtle lays 80 eggs in Koh Kong https://cambodia.wcs.org/About-Us/Latest-News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/17469/Royal-turtle-lays-80-eggs-in-Koh-Kong.aspx In 2022, a Royal turtle (Batagur affinis) at the Koh Kong Reptile Conservation Centre (KKRCC) has laid 80 new eggs which will soon hatch. This brings hope for environmentalists after only one of the 71 eggs laid last year hatched due to lack of conditions. Som Sitha, Project Manager of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), told The Post on April 11 that Steve – a one-year-old royal turtle – was the only egg among the 71 eggs that hatched at the (KKRCC) back in 2021. It was named after “Steve”. He said that Steve was named after Dr Steven G. Platt, an American herpetologist, in honour of his research work. With support from Fisheries Administration, Platt was the first to rediscover the existence of the royal turtle, also known as southern river terrapin, in the Sre Ambel stream system in Sre Ambel district of Koh Kong Province in 1999-2000. Read more: CLICK HERE Source: The Phnom Penh Post rleak Wed, 20 Apr 2022 01:29:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:17469 https://cambodia.wcs.org/About-Us/Latest-News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/17375/People-Are-Learning-to-Use-the-SMART-Mobile-App-for-Environmental-Protection.aspx#Comments 0 https://cambodia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=8496&ModuleID=17510&ArticleID=17375 https://cambodia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=17375&PortalID=133&TabID=8496 People Are Learning to Use the SMART Mobile App for Environmental Protection https://cambodia.wcs.org/About-Us/Latest-News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/17375/People-Are-Learning-to-Use-the-SMART-Mobile-App-for-Environmental-Protection.aspx The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Cambodia has been providing people in communities and conservationists with training on data collection and recording with SMART rleak Tue, 15 Mar 2022 03:39:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:17375 https://cambodia.wcs.org/About-Us/Latest-News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/17018/Press-Release-2021-census-result-Cambodia-a-stronghold-for-White-shouldered-Ibis.aspx#Comments 0 https://cambodia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=8496&ModuleID=17510&ArticleID=17018 https://cambodia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=17018&PortalID=133&TabID=8496 Press Release: 2021 census result: Cambodia; a stronghold for White-shouldered Ibis https://cambodia.wcs.org/About-Us/Latest-News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/17018/Press-Release-2021-census-result-Cambodia-a-stronghold-for-White-shouldered-Ibis.aspx The White-shouldered Ibis is a relatively largely bird species, classified as Critically Endangered in the IUCN Red List. This species is native to small regions of Southeast Asia. Populations of the White-shouldered Ibis declined severely in the late 20th century. Today, the global population is estimated at just 1,000 individuals, of which 670 are mature. Cambodia, by far, forms this species’ stronghold with the majority of the global population of individuals found here.  The Cambodian White-shouldered Ibis subpopulation resides in Siem Pang Wildlife Sanctuary, Kulen Promtep Wildlife Sanctuary, Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary, the Eastern Plains Landscape, and along the Mekong River of Sambo Wildlife Sanctuary. However, these populations are threatened by habitat loss, the removal of the nest, and roosting trees through illegal logging, poisoning of water sources, and other human disturbance. Cambodian Ibis conservation partners began to conduct annual censuses for the species in 2009 within four of these important locations. The first census count was just 310 birds. During the four years following this initial count, the number increased to a high of 973 individuals in 2013. Sadly, the populations declined notably during 2015 and 2016 with numbers dropping to less than 500 individuals. In 2021, a partnership consisting of the Ministry of Environment, NatureLife/Birdlife in Cambodia, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Angkor Centre for the Conservation of Biodiversity (ACCB), and Rising Phoenix conducted a simultaneous White-shouldered Ibis census across Cambodia. The consortium launched four monthly (July to October) censuses of this species over the wet season with the August count resulting in a high of 754 individuals. These are very encouraging results and indicate a gradual increase in numbers of this important and Critically Endangered species. Specifically, the 2021 census identified Siem Pang Wildlife Sanctuary as an important site for the White-shouldered Ibis with a total of 373 individuals. Sambo wildlife sanctuary in Kratie is the second most important site with 252 individuals. Most other sanctuaries showed promising results and gradually increasing numbers of this species. H.E. Net Pheaktra, Secretary of State and Spokesperson, Ministry of Environment said that “Since Cambodia becomes a country of peace, we have more opportunities and possibilities to perform natural resource and biodiversity conservation work more effectively. The conservation of natural resources has been improving and the increase in the number of white-shouldered ibis and some rare species is the result of our effort between the Ministry of Environment and our partnership organizations that have been actively, responsibly, and professionally contributing to protecting and conserving the remaining biodiversity for our future generation. On behalf of the Ministry of Environment, I would like to thank all partners in white-shouldered ibis protection and conservation and urge all our citizens to help and contribute to the conservation of these rare animals because they are highly valued for biodiversity and global conservation and they are valuable for ecotourism in attracting more tourists and making more income for communities, resulting in national economic grow” “I welcome and congratulate the consortium for the result of the 2021 nationwide census, which represents a positive step of the collective efforts by the Ministry of Environment and all partners in the White-shouldered Ibis protection and in reversing the decline of this critically endangered large bird in the near future,” said Mr. Seng Teak, Country Director of WWF-Cambodia. “As a member of the consortium, WWF will continue to work closely together with all actors involved to support the national census and conservation efforts of the species, and continue to actively engage the local communities in the Mekong Flooded Forest landscape in safeguarding this rare bird species and its nests in their natural habitats,” he added. Dr. Ken Sereyrotha, WCS Country Program Director said that “White-shouldered Ibis is an important and iconic species for the Northern Plains of Cambodia, generating important eco-tourism-based revenues for communities in Tmat Paeuy, Preah Vihear. WCS is looking forward to working more closely with the Ministry of Environment, local communities, and Cambodian Ibis Working Group to ensure that these globally important birds are part of Cambodian natural heritage for years to come.” Mr. Bou Vorsak, CEO of NatureLife/BirdLife in Cambodia said that “Cambodia is the last hope for conserving the White-shouldered Ibis from extinction, the 2021 census indicates a promising future, however, this bird needs continued attention from all stakeholders. We request to establish the Cambodian Ibis Working Group to leverage more resources and knowledge to address its priority threats.” Ms. Christel Griffioen, Country Director of ACCB said that “The Cambodian Ibis Working Group is a good example of implementing the One Plan approach to White-shouldered Ibis conservation. By uniting expert knowledge and perspectives from all stakeholders we can bridge the gap between wild and captive population management and improve conservation efforts for the species. Only together will we be able to save the species from extinction.” Media contact:  cambodiapress@wcs.org  rleak Mon, 13 Dec 2021 07:03:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:17018 https://cambodia.wcs.org/About-Us/Latest-News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/16937/51-Royal-Turtles-released-into-their-natural-habitat.aspx#Comments 0 https://cambodia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=8496&ModuleID=17510&ArticleID=16937 https://cambodia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=16937&PortalID=133&TabID=8496 51 Royal Turtles released into their natural habitat https://cambodia.wcs.org/About-Us/Latest-News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/16937/51-Royal-Turtles-released-into-their-natural-habitat.aspx Kampong Seila (November 26, 2021) – The European Union (EU), the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), and the Fisheries Administration of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, today released 51 critically endangered Royal Turtles into the Sre Ambel River system in Kampong Seila district of Preah Sihanouk Province. All the 51 Royal Turtles, globally known as Southern River Terrapin (Batagur affinis), were collected immediately after emerging from their nests along the Sre Ambel River and Kampong Leu River in Koh Kong and Preah Sihanouk provinces from 2006 to 2015 and sent to Koh Kong Reptile Conservation Center in Tuol Korki village, Tuol Korki commune of Mondul Seima district, where they have been cared for and prepared for a life in the wild, according to Som Sitha, WCS Landscape Project Manager. The turtles, 31 females and 20 males, range in age from 6 to 15 years-old. Each turtle was implanted with a microchip, and an acoustic transmitter was attached to their shell. These measures will allow the conservation team to monitor each individual and track their movements through the river system.    H.E Poum Sotha, Delegate of the Royal Government of Cambodia, Director General of Fisheries Conservation, said: “We highly appreciate the participation of local authorities, community and WCS team who have been working together to conserve critically endangered turtles so that they can persist in the natural water bodies. All stakeholders should continue their efforts to conserve the threatened species, and those who still trade protected species will face legal action.” The European Union is funding this wildlife conservation project, in which WCS and the FiA partner with local communities to counter illegal wildlife trafficking and to protect endangered species. In addition to supporting this work, the European Union is also a key development partner to sustainable fisheries management in Cambodia. “Cambodia has an incredible wealth of species and habitats. The Royal Turtle is one of the species that need protection urgently. Joint conservation efforts of communities, authorities and WCS should continue, to help the wild population to recover,” said Clemens Beckers, representative of the European Union Delegation in Cambodia. ”Today, we are glad to release these turtles into their natural habitat.” The Royal Turtle is among the world’s 25 most endangered tortoises and freshwater turtles, listed on the IUCN Red List as Critically Endangered. It was designated as Cambodia’s National Reptile by a Royal Decree issued in 2005. The Royal Turtle was believed extinct in Cambodia until 2000, when a small population was rediscovered by Fisheries Administration (FiA) and WCS in the Sre Ambel River. Since then, WCS and FiA have been working together to protect the species from extinction. Conservation activities include a nest protection program, head-starting of young turtles, law enforcement, research and monitoring, prevention of illegal trade, and outreach and livelihood support, all supported by several donors including the European Union and Mandai Nature. The continued sand dredging, illegal fishing, overexploitation and loss of habitat resulting from land grabbing and clearance of riparian flooded forest, are major threats to the survival of these species which remains at great risk of extinction. The release is part of a Royal Turtle Conservation project supported by the European Union, as well as other ongoing and past projects supported by Mandai Nature, the Rainforest Trust, the United States Forest Service, Allan & Patricia Koval Foundation, USAID Feed the Future and Turtle Survival Alliance, implemented by WCS in partnership with the Fisheries Administration (FiA). This Royal Turtle release is the result of nearly two decades of turtle nest protection, head-starting of the young turtles in the Koh Kong Reptile Conservation Centre, and community-based protection of turtles in the Sre Ambel River, funded by the donors listed above. This is the sixth release of Royal Turtles into the Sre Ambel River system since 2015, making a total of 147 turtles returned to the wild. Dr Sonja Luz, Deputy CEO at Mandai Nature said, “It is heartening to see yet another release of the critically endangered Royal Turtle into their native habitat which signals the success of the head-starting facility and efforts led by WCS. The strong involvement from the local authorities and communities has also been critical in ensuring the turtles released can thrive in the wild. We all have a common goal of saving this species from extinction, and Mandai Nature remains committed to working with our partners to achieve this.” Dr. Ken Sereyrotha, WCS Country Program Director, concluded: “With the increasing number of adult in the wild through this release, we do hope that this species will breed in the wild and that annual nests will increase in the next few years.” rleak Fri, 26 Nov 2021 11:13:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:16937 https://cambodia.wcs.org/About-Us/Latest-News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/16808/Press-Release-Four-EU-funded-projects-to-support-fishing-communities-in-Tonle-Sap-and-coastal-provinces-launched.aspx#Comments 0 https://cambodia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=8496&ModuleID=17510&ArticleID=16808 https://cambodia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=16808&PortalID=133&TabID=8496 Press Release: Four EU-funded projects to support fishing communities in Tonle Sap and coastal provinces launched https://cambodia.wcs.org/About-Us/Latest-News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/16808/Press-Release-Four-EU-funded-projects-to-support-fishing-communities-in-Tonle-Sap-and-coastal-provinces-launched.aspx Phnom Penh, 27  October 2021: Today, the EU Delegation to Cambodia and the  Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, formally launched, with WCS, Oxfam, Aide et Action, and Save the Children, four EU-funded projects to support green growth, jobs creation, social services, and better protection of natural resources for the fishing communities in 10 Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve and coastal provinces. Attending today the joint virtual launching workshop were around 320 participants from line Ministries, provincial authorities, fisheries technical working group, fishing communities, NGOs including the co-implementing partners, EU Member States, and other development partners. Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Cambodia, Bryan Fornari, said: “CAPFISH is the EU’s largest bilateral programmes in Cambodia to support the Royal Government to achieve sustainable, climate-resilient and inclusive growth of the fisheries sector. In partnership with the Fisheries Administration and our implementing partners, today’s launch of the 4 projects is an important milestone for COVID recovery in the region, bringing new economic opportunities and better livelihood for over fifty thousand households. Our partnership with the Fisheries Administration will make this possible”. “The Royal Government of Cambodia under the representation of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, would like to express its gratitude and appreciation to the European Union for supporting the biggest programme ever in developing fisheries sector in Cambodia.’’ said H.E Poum Sotha, Director General of Fisheries Administration. “Save the Children is really excited to work with partners, local communities and authorities to support the socio-economic development of vulnerable fishing communities in the East Tonle Sap, especially to promote the adoption of green economy initiatives and environmental good practices, while supporting children and families access quality, inclusive and safe education and water, sanitation and waste management services” said Mrs. Pearce. Mr. Vorn Samphors, Aide et Action Cambodia Country director said ‘CO-SAVED Cambodia, is a multi- stakeholder partnership among the private sector, government, and civil society to drive progress toward the sustainable development goals. We’re committed to empowering 382,650 Cambodian citizens in coastal communities to form lasting partnerships for inclusive green economic growth, quality service delivery in Education and WASH, and sustainable livelihoods.’ “Our Tonle Sap is important for biodiversity, fisheries, livelihoods, well-being and culture. However, our lake is rapidly disappearing owing to climate change, damming for hydropower, and diversion of tributaries for agricultural irrigation. We must seize the opportunity to build resilience in ecosystems, communities, and biodiversity to avoid a human and ecological catastrophe’’ said Sereyrotha Ken Ph.D., Country Program Director, Wildlife Conservation Society Background on the 4 projects   Save Children (REDD BARNA), with the EU grant of €4 million, is supporting fishing communities in Pursat, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Thom provinces to improve socio-economic status and resilience to climate change, through improved access to WASH (water, sanitation, hygiene), waste management systems, green economy initiatives and education. OXFAM, with the EU granted of €4 million, is implementing a four-year project (2021- 2024) to support fishing  communities in Battambang, Banteay Meanchey and Siem Reap provinces to improve access to safe water supply, education, sanitation, waste management services, sustainable management of community natural resources, as well as to improve livelihoods and employment opportunities. Aide et Action Association, with the EU fund of €4 million, is running a four-year project (2021- 2024) to support communities in Kep, Kampot, Sihanukville and Koh kong provinces to become more resilient through sustainable local economic development, enhanced service delivery, and green growth which contributes to reducing poverty and inequality. Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Ministry of Environment and its partners, with EU aid of €4.9, is running a four-year project (2021-2024) in Siem Reap, Kampong Thom, Kampong Chnang, Pursat, Battambang, and Banteay Meanchey provinces to enhance management and restoration of critical habitats to facilitate resilience to environmental change and to improve governance and policy to reduce drivers of environmental change For further information, please contact Mrs Pok Poun, Press and Information Officer of the EU Delegation, Tel. 023 220 611 or E-mail: pok.poun@eeas.europa.eu rleak Thu, 28 Oct 2021 06:47:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:16808 https://cambodia.wcs.org/About-Us/Latest-News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/16681/About-Royal-Turtle.aspx#Comments 0 https://cambodia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=8496&ModuleID=17510&ArticleID=16681 https://cambodia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=16681&PortalID=133&TabID=8496 About Royal Turtle https://cambodia.wcs.org/About-Us/Latest-News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/16681/About-Royal-Turtle.aspx The Southern River Terrapin, Batagur affinis, is a large river turtle with a carapace up to 625 mm in length. This species inhabits large rivers and estuaries of the southern Malay Peninsula (southern Thailand and West Malaysia), Sumatra, and a remnant population is found in Cambodia. The Southern River Terrapin is declining across Southeast Asia and listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and considered one of the world's 25 most endangered turtles. The population of Batagur affins in Cambodia is facing threats from commercial sand mining, illegal fishing, illegal harvesting, and habitat loss from land grabbing and clearance of riparian forests.  The species which was once found in Tonle Sap Lake and the Mekong was thought to have disappeared from Cambodia until it was rediscovered in 2001 along the Sre Ambel River System in Koh Kong Province—the only remaining habitat for the species in Cambodia. Conservationists initiated conservation interventions to restore this species in the wild. These include nest protection, education and awareness programs, law enforcement, ​ community livelihood development, head-starting of hatchlings, ex-situ breeding, and post-release monitoring of head started turtles. To date, more than 200 hatchlings, sub-adults, and adults have been released into the Sre Ambel River System. Of those, 96 sub-adult and adult turtles were released into the wild with attached acoustic transmitters to study their movements, habitat utilization, and survivorship. These interventions have resulted in some conservation successes. In 2005, a Royal Decree No 0305/149 designated the species as the National Reptile of Cambodia, named “Royal Turtle” in an effort to bring awareness and conservation for this species. In 2009, the Royal Turtle was classified as “Critically Endangered” under the Sub-Decree No. 123 on threatened fisheries resources and production. In 2019, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) declared the establishment of the Fisheries Management and Protection Area for Royal Turtle and Siamese Crocodile that covers large majority of the Sre Ambel River System. Although conservation efforts have been underway for more than 15 years, the wild population of Batagur affinis has not significantly increased because illegal threats caused by human are still happening including sand dredging, loss of habitat and hunting for meat and traditional medicinal trade. On another hand, B. affinis like most turtles – are slow growing and require at least 15 years to mature.  Therefore, recovery will occur only over a prolonged period. According to Cambodia Fisheries Law, Article 92, any illegal offences such as catching, selling, buying, transporting, collecting, exporting, importing, processing and stocking all types of natural fishery products of endangered species shall be subject to a transactional fine by the Fisheries Administration in cash from two to three times of the market price of the obvious evidence. WCS’s conservation program for the recovery of the Critically Endangered Royal Turtle is funded by the European Union (EU)- Partners against Wildlife Crime, Mandai Nature, USAID-Feed the Future, US Forest Service, Rainforest Trust, Alan and Patricia Koval Foundation, and Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA). rleak Tue, 21 Sep 2021 07:34:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:16681 https://cambodia.wcs.org/About-Us/Latest-News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/16470/Press-Release-Keo-Seima-Conservation-Project-Fruitfully-Completed.aspx#Comments 0 https://cambodia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=8496&ModuleID=17510&ArticleID=16470 https://cambodia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=16470&PortalID=133&TabID=8496 Press Release: Keo Seima Conservation Project Fruitfully Completed https://cambodia.wcs.org/About-Us/Latest-News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/16470/Press-Release-Keo-Seima-Conservation-Project-Fruitfully-Completed.aspx Phnom Penh (August 13, 2021) – USAID mark ed the successful completion of the Keo Seima Conservation Project (KSCP) today with an online workshop that celebrated its achievements in forest conservation and community support. Speaking at the closing workshop, Laura Cizmo, Acting Office Director for Sustainable Economic Growth Office of USAID Cambodia, applauded the successful collaboration between USAID, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), communities in and around Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary (KSWS), Ministry of Environment (MoE), local authorities, NGOs and CSOs, and other development partners to make the project possible. “Through this project, USAID contributed to the avoidance of more than 1.6 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions,” Cizmo said. “That achievement has helped Cambodia meet its national greenhouse gas emission reduction goals.” His Excellency Sao Sopheap, Secretary of State for MoE, said: “The funding support from USAID has enabled KSCP to achieve the significant milestone of securing sustainable financing for KSWS from carbon credit sales. This will allow an expansion of activities and enable more visionary long-term planning. The sales of carbon credits have ensured the site is sustainably financed for the next 5 years - the first time a protected area in Cambodia is sustainably financed.” “Successful carbon credit sales have created significant financial resources for conservation at KSWS. This presents a unique opportunity to expand activities in KSWS, which include scaling up actions to address the direct and indirect drivers of deforestation, and to improve the livelihoods of local communities,” said H.E Sopheap who presided over the closing workshop. Ken Sereyrotha, Country Program Director for WCS Cambodia, said, “The KSCP directly supported a large number of important activities, and has played a vital role at a key moment to ensure the longer term sustainability of the wider KSWS program. We look forward to continuing to work closely with local communities, the Ministry of Environment, and other partners to provide benefits to the people, forests, and wildlife of Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary.” The KSCP was a 3-year project (August 2018-August 2021) implemented by WCS. The project aimed to improve biodiversity conservation and ecosystem health, sustainable and equitable economic opportunities, community livelihoods, and natural capital reinvestment, and to strengthen inclusive landscape governance in KSWS in the Eastern Plains, Cambodia.  *************   Media Contact: Oliver Griffin ogriffin@wcs.org rleak Fri, 13 Aug 2021 04:30:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:16470