Located in the north-east of Cambodia, Virachey National Park is a remote and largely unexplored forest wilderness, home to countless threatened species including the northern yellow-cheeked crested gibbon and the large-antlered muntjac.
Virachey National Park forms a key part of the Annamite Mountain Range, the largest remaining transboundary forest landscape in mainland Southeast Asia, and is one of the most biologically important and endangered tropical forests in the world. While Virachey has so far escaped the worst of the deforestation seen elsewhere in Cambodia, external development pressures and short-term economic interests are prompting shifts towards unsustainable resource extraction and encroachment.
In 2018, Fauna & Flora International (FFI) carried out pioneering research on the population size and density of species in the Virachey landscape. Realising the critical importance of this landscape for species conservation, FFI began to strengthen the management of Virachey National Park, working closely with the Ministry of Environment, to secure greater protection for this vital biodiversity haven.
FFI is working to strengthen the management of Virachey National Park, survey its biodiversity and support communities living near the park to ensure that the forest is adequately protected.
FFI is surveying the park’s biodiversity (including studying critically endangered species), supporting zonation and management efforts, and working with Indigenous communities living adjacent to the protected area – including the Brao and Kavet people – to strengthen sustainable livelihoods and support other initiatives that reduce their dependence on hunting and fishing within the park’s boundaries. We are also supporting these communities to strengthen their own management of park resources through Community Protected Areas. This is a collaborative effort and we are working closely with national and sub-national Ministry of Environment offices, indigenous communities and local civil society organisations.
Large-antlered muntjac captured on camera trap for the first time.
FFI initiates biodiversity surveys of Virachey National Park.
FFI undertakes biodiversity surveys of Virachey, including population assessments of the northern yellow-cheeked crested gibbon.
The northern yellow-cheeked crested gibbon is described as a new species to science.
Pablo Sinovas – [email protected]
The dazzling diversity in one of Asia’s last great wilderness areas is under severe threat. Please support our vital work today and help save Virachey National Park and its irreplaceable biodiversity.
We are thankful for the support of Defra/Darwin Initiative, Prince Bernhard Nature Fund and Lucille Foundation.
Cambodia is one of the most biodiverse countries in Southeast Asia, with as many as 8,260 plant species and more than 250 species of amphibian and reptile, 874 fish species and over 500 bird species.
Habitat loss is one of the biggest threats to biodiversity. Learn more about our work to tackle this problem.
Donate