A comprehensive survey conducted in Cambodia's Virachey National Park has unveiled critically endangered species previously unrecorded in the country, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced conservation efforts.
Spanning over 405,000 hectares in northeastern Cambodia, the park is a vital biodiversity haven. Researchers deployed over 150 cameras and collaborated with local communities to document the park's flora and fauna.
The survey identified a total of 89 species, including 20 globally threatened species such as the red-shanked douc langur, Sunda pangolin, clouded leopard, dhole, and sun bear. Remarkably, nine species were recorded for the first time in Cambodia, including the critically endangered large-antlered muntjac.
Environmentalists emphasize that these findings reinforce the park's status as a biodiversity stronghold and call for intensified conservation initiatives to combat the mounting pressures from habitat destruction due to agriculture and infrastructure development.
As one of the largest forest landscapes in mainland Southeast Asia, Virachey National Park plays a crucial role as a carbon sink and is home to diverse indigenous communities. However, the region faces significant threats from poaching and habitat loss, highlighting the urgent need for protective measures.