Roberts O., Holden J., Furey N. M., de Kok R., Sean M., Oeung H., Chantha N., Chourn P., Barca B. & Sinovas P.
The first comprehensive biodiversity survey of Virachey National Park, Cambodia, has revealed the vast array of species relying on the remote protected area, a critical step in strengthening the protection of this ecosystem.
First established in 1993, Virachey National Park is a relatively understudied protected area in north-east Cambodia. Situated on two international borders, the park is contiguous with forest in neighbouring Lao PDR and Vietnam. As a south-western extension of the Annamite Mountain range, the park is a key habitat for endemic flora and fauna not found in wider Cambodia and, despite relatively high levels of historic logging, remains a key biodiversity refuge.
A report built on several surveys
Fauna & Flora surveys in Virachey began in 2018, targeting the northern yellow-cheeked crested gibbon, Nomascus annamensis, and have since expanded to cover a wide array of taxa: terrestrial mammals and ground-dwelling birds via camera trapping, bird surveys, bat surveys, botanic and tree surveys, environmental (eDNA) testing and herpetological surveys.
Species recorded for the first time
Led by Fauna & Flora, in collaboration with Cambodia’s Ministry of Environment, and communities local to the park, the survey confirmed the presence of many threatened species, such as the red-shanked douc langur, Sunda pangolin, clouded leopard, dhole and sun bear. It also recorded a number of species for the first time in Cambodia, including the critically endangered large-antlered muntjac, two bat species, a species of glass lizard, a gecko, a flamboyant edible mushroom and three plant species (an orchid, an arum and a ginger).
Meistera celsa Ginger in Virachey National Park. © Jeremy Holden / Fauna & Flora
This species of ginger, Meistera celsa, was recorded in Virachey National Park - a first for Cambodia.
Download the full report
Virachey National Park Biodiversity Survey Report, Cambodia 2024
Acknowledgements
The Virachey National Park biodiversity survey was funded by the Darwin Initiative, the British Embassy in Phnom Penh, Fondation Franklinia, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund and Prince Bernhard Nature Fund.
Fauna & Flora’s work to protect Virachey National Park and its diverse range of species is financially supported by the Biodiverse Landscapes Fund (BLF) Lower Mekong Landscape project, funded by UK International Development.