Three giant ibis preen their feathers in Lumphat Wildlife Sanctuary. USAID Morodok Baitang
Cambodia has the largest population of giant ibis in the world, with Lumphat Wildlife Sanctuary’s third census of 2024 revealing that more than 30 are thriving in the protected area.
The total number of adult birds globally is estimated to be only about 194, with nearly all of them living in Cambodia, according to the July 2024 USAID Morodok Baitang bulletin.
Bou Vorsak, executive director of NatureLife Cambodia, told The Post on August 20, “In Cambodia, we have more than 90 per cent of the world’s giant ibis.”
He added that the census is usually conducted in January, February and April.
He noted that the latest census confirmed the presence of 33 giant ibis at the sanctuary, a number that remains stable compared to the 2019 baseline data. In addition to the birds in the conservation area, he said about 25 pairs of the species are also found in the Siem Pang Wildlife Sanctuary and other areas across Cambodia.
“Giant ibis do not live in large groups. They are found in small groups, so we monitor the ponds where they come to feed and wake up early to listen for their calls. By tracking their cries, we can locate them,” Vorsak explained.
The bulletin stated that the 2024 Giant Ibis Census at Lumphat employed a standardised method to track the population trend of the critically endangered species, helping to guide preservation efforts.
The census is part of the Lumphat Wildlife Sanctuary Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) project, funded by USAID Morodok Baitang, which aims to generate carbon credits by reducing deforestation and forest degradation.
The giant ibis (Thaumatibis gigantea), Cambodia’s national bird and one of the world’s rarest bird species, continues to face significant conservation challenges due to habitat loss from agricultural expansion, logging and infrastructure development. These threats have drastically reduced its habitat, pushing the species to the brink of extinction.
Once widespread across Mainland Southeast Asia, this majestic bird is currently listed as critically endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
Phon Khemrin, director of the Ratanakkiri provincial Department of Environment, said that the birds are present at the sanctuary due to ongoing conservation efforts in collaboration with NatureLife Cambodia.
Currently, USAID Morodok Baitang, in collaboration with NatureLife Cambodia, the environment ministry and the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF), conducts various conservation activities, including the wildlife-friendly IBIS Rice initiative, trapeang (wetland) restoration, conducting forest patrols and strengthening natural resource management in and around the sanctuary, according to the bulletin.
