Cambodia

A country at a crossroads

Cambodia is one of the most biodiverse countries in Southeast Asia. Like many other countries in the region, it faces the challenge of developing its economy and reducing poverty without ravaging its unique natural resources.

That challenge is made more difficult by restricted financial and technical capacity for sustainable environmental management. As a result, forest cover in Cambodia has fallen by 20% since 1990. Destructive fishing practices – such as the use of explosives and poison – together with unsustainable development are wreaking havoc on its marine environment.

What wildlife does Cambodia support?

It is home to over 8,000 plant species (10% of which may be found nowhere else), more than 250 species of amphibian and reptile, nearly 900 fish species and over 500 bird species.

Cambodia’s Cardamom Mountains, a 10,000-km² area in the south-west of the country, harbours a remarkable diversity of species including Asian elephant, sun and moon bears and gaur (the world’s largest bovine). Still relatively unexplored, this landscape has many secrets left to reveal. The little-known Virachey National Park in north-east Cambodia is another remote wildlife haven. Recent finds include the large-antlered muntjac, a critically endangered deer. Biological surveys of these forests continue to reveal new species.

Cambodia also has a rich marine environment, with coral reefs surrounding almost all of its islands. Around 70 coral species are known to be found here, and the country also has extensive seagrass beds and mangrove habitats.

Fauna & Flora’s work in Cambodia

Fauna & Flora has been working in Cambodia since the start of the new millennium, supporting the government’s conservation work across the country. We were one of the first international conservation organisations on the ground following years of conflict.

In 2000, our scientists led expeditions into the Cardamom Mountains after remnants of the Khmer Rouge finally left the area. We were instrumental in rediscovering the Siamese crocodile, which was thought to be extinct in the wild. Following this discovery, we spearheaded a community-based conservation programme to conserve these reptiles.

More recently, Fauna & Flora and our partners have been working to highlight the importance of Virachey National Park and the incredible wildlife that it harbours.

Our field activities focus on community engagement and empowerment, food security, biodiversity monitoring and research. We aim to conserve critical forest and marine habitats and protect flagship species of global importance such as Siamese crocodiles and Asian elephants. At a national level, we are working to stop illegal wildlife trade in Cambodia, focusing on wild meat, ivory and marine products. We have also partnered with the Royal University of Phnom Penh to develop the next generation of Cambodian conservationists.

The combined output of all these interventions is strengthening biodiversity conservation while building good governance and alleviating poverty.