Habitat loss threatens bird species

April 4, 2018

Mom Kunthear / Khmer Times  Share:    

The Wildlife Conservation Society yesterday said that it has protected more than 3,800 nests of 11 globally threatened bird species in tandem with the Ministry of Environment since 2002, leading to the hatching of nearly 7,000 birds in Preah Vihear province.

At the same time, WCS raised concerns that their hard work to protects the birds may be undermined by a changing threat as poaching has dropped but habitat loss has increased.

Rours Vann, WCS’s wildlife monitoring team leader in the Kulen Promtep Wildlife Sanctuary, said yesterday that the tallied figures mark a success for the organisation’s work with the ministry, but noted WCS remains concerned.

He said that their efforts in nest protection have reduced the threat of egg poaching, but a new threat of habitat loss remains worrisome.

“When communities have the opportunity to obtain socio-economic benefits from their wildlife assets, they are more motivated to protect them,” he said. “But we are still worried about the safety of these birds as they are being disturbed by land concessions, building of houses and the villagers’ use of poison to catch fish – which causes birds to die.”

Continued