A WWF Cambodia field team discovered a nest of the critically endangered white-shouldered ibis in Mondulkiri province last week. WWF Cambodia
For the first time this year, a nest of the critically endangered white-shouldered ibis has been identified in Mondulkiri province.
WWF Cambodia (WWF) announced the discovery on November 28, explaining that members of one of their field teams reported the presence of the white-shouldered ibis (Pseudibis davisoni) nest near Srepok Wildlife Sanctuary last week.
The Kingdom is home to the largest population of the rare species, accounting for up to 95 per cent of the global population.
The WWF hailed the discovery as “great news”.
“This is the first of its kind found in the area this year. The discovery is a glimmer of hope for this critically endangered wetland bird,” it announced, via social media.
Dedicated staffers are monitoring the nest to deter human disturbance, so the nesting ibis can have the best chances at reproduction, it added.
The organisation explained that its ongoing conservation efforts aim to inspire collective action to protect Cambodia’s valuable wildlife and natural resources.
Din Bunthoeun, acting head of the Mondulkiri Provincial Department of Environment, said local community members are participating in protecting the nest, which is a key strategy for conserving this critically endangered species.
“In addition to human disturbances, other wildlife animals also poses a threat to the nest, which has prompted the community to take turns guarding them,” he said, adding that he was unaware of the number of eggs in the nest nor the population of the birds in the province.
Cambodia is home to the largest population of the rare species on the planet, with 784 recorded individuals, representing 87 to 95 per cent of the global population of white-shouldered ibis. The remaining 5 per cent are found in Indonesia or the province of Laos which border the Kingdom.
According to the Cambodian Ibis Working Group (CIWG), reproductive success for the species has notably improved, with 175 newly hatched chicks successfully fledged from nests last year. In addition, Cambodia achieved a world-first with a successful captive breeding programme, a milestone for both the country and global conservation efforts last year.
The Kingdom is also home to another critically endangered ibis. The global population of the giant ibis is estimated at just 290 individuals, nearly all of them recorded in Cambodia. A small number persist in Laos, while the species has been declared extinct in other countries.
