Conservationists estimate that an astonishing 95% of the global giant ibis population resides within the lush Cambodian forest.
The country’s rich biodiversity and conservation efforts have made it a critical hidden haven for threatened wildlife and bird species; an irreplaceable home for these rare creatures at risk of disappearing elsewhere.
The critically endangered giant ibis, or “Thaumatibis gigantea”, once roamed neighbouring Laos, Thailand and Vietnam, but over the years, its population has become extinct. Now, it is primarily found in parts of northeastern Cambodia.
The nation also hosts about 780 white-shouldered ibis (“Pseudibis davisoni”).
“There are 194 matured individuals – almost 95% of the world’s population – in Cambodia, and a few were sighted along the Cambodian-Laos border,” NatureLife Cambodia CEO Bou Vorsak told Bernama.
“It is endemic to Cambodia and it is also the national bird of Cambodia. So we are trying our best to protect them.”
The Preah Vihear Protected Forest and provinces like Mondulkiri and Ratanakiri have become favourite breeding grounds for these large birds.
Globally, only 290 giant ibises remain, including mature individuals capable of reproduction, while the rest are either juveniles or older birds in a state of natural decline.
A well-built mature grey male giant ibis is about 102cm long and weighs around 4kg, with a wingspan of up to 55cm.
Their familiar grounds are the lowlands, and these birds forage around paddy fields and pools in Cambodia’s deciduous forests. They often feed on frogs, crabs, earthworms, insects and mole-crickets, according to wildlife researchers.
Bird watchers say the ibis produces loud and long calls in the morning that can be heard up to nearly 2km away.
Vorsak said the giant ibis population has dwindled over the years in Southeast Asia, including Cambodia, because of poaching, stolen eggs, loss of proper habitats, and decline in forest reserves.
“We have formed a working group comprising members of the government, national and international wildlife NGOs, and academia to design an action plan to increase the population of ibis or stabilise their population in Cambodia.
“This plan includes protecting habitat areas, restoring wetlands inside the forest, providing food for the birds, improving survival and breeding, and conducting research for conservation action.
“This is an important bird to us, so we don’t want to lose it from our natural habitat,” Vorsak concluded.