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Appias lyncida Chocolate albatross, Virachey National Park. © Jeremy Holden / Fauna & Flora

Chocolate albatross butterfly, Virachey National Park. © Jeremy Holden / Fauna & Flora

Virachey National Park Biodiversity Survey Report, Cambodia 2024

Publication

    Author(s):

    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.

    Bat, probably a Northern woolly horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus perniger) photographed in Virachey National Park. © Jeremy Holden / Fauna & Flora

    Bat, probably a northern woolly horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus perniger), photographed in Virachey National Park. © Jeremy Holden / Fauna & Flora

    Bat survey, 2023

    A bat survey was undertaken in Virachey by the Centre for Biodiversity Conservation (Royal University of Phnom Penh) with support from the national park authorities and Fauna & Flora (Cambodia Programme) from 1-14 March 2023.

    Ranger patrol, Virachey National Park. © Hem Manita / Fauna & Flora

    Ranger patrol, Virachey National Park. © Hem Manita / Fauna & Flora

    Tree survey, 2023

    Tree surveys were conducted at two key sites in Virachey in 2023, initiated by Fauna & Flora and supported by Fondation Franklinia.

    Camera trap image of large-antlered muntjac. © Fauna & Flora

    Camera trap image of large-antlered muntjac. © Fauna & Flora

    Camera trap survey, 2021-2023

    In 2021 and 2023, Fauna & Flora deployed 153 cameras across Virachey National Park, with a total cumulative trapping effort of 11,222 nights, representing the largest such effort conducted in the park to date.

    Samkos bush frog (Chiromantis samkosensis). © Jeremy Holden / Fauna & Flora

    Samkos bush frog (Chiromantis samkosensis). © Jeremy Holden / Fauna & Flora

    Herpetological survey, 2021-2023

    The surveys occurred between 25 February 2021 and June 2023, recording the herpetofauna of Virachey, with a primary focus on the amphibians of the park.

    Siamese fireback (lophura diardi) photographed during a camera trap survey led by the Cambodia team. © Fauna & Flora

    Siamese fireback (Lophura diardi) photographed during a camera trap survey led by the Cambodia team. © Fauna & Flora

    Bird survey, 2021

    In collaboration with Fauna & Flora, two professional bird guides from the Sam Veasna Conservation Tours Ltd., Sean Mardy and Oeung Hang, participated in a nine-day survey of Virachey National Park, focusing on the eastern part of the
    protected area.

    Sam Han using eDNA testing kit, Chhay Reap, Cambodia. © Jeremy Holden / Fauna & Flora

    Sam Han using eDNA testing kit, Chhay Reap, Cambodia. © Jeremy Holden / Fauna & Flora

    eDNA survey, 2021

    Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding is a survey technique wherein genetic samples are extracted from water sources, amplified and matched to a species’ genetic reference. Eighteen eDNA samples were collected in Virachey National Park and analysed by Nature Metrics Ltd. A total of 161 vertebrate taxa were recorded, including 15 threatened species.

    Yellow-cheeked gibbon. © Nguyễn Văn Trường / Fauna & Flora

    Yellow-cheeked gibbon. © Nguyễn Văn Trường / Fauna & Flora

    Gibbon survey, 2018

    This study aimed to assess population size and density of northern yellow-cheeked gibbons in Virachey, and determine the importance of the park for this species.

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

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.

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Virachey National Park Biodiversity Survey Report, Cambodia 2024

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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.