A group of volunteers have taken it upon themselves to carry rice and water up a mountain in Battambang to support wildlife during the dry season. The local animal population is reportedly struggling during this exceptionally water-scarce time of year.

The “Wildlife Conservation Volunteers” group, based in Thipadei commune of Kas Kralor district, consists of seven members.

They take turns carrying water, rice, beans, corn and other food up Thipadei Mountain, about one kilometre from their homes, to feed animals such as peacocks, red muntjac and wild boars.

Kao Bunthoeun, 64, one of the members, told The Post that their work is purely voluntary, driven by love and compassion for wildlife.

The group has been doing this for about seven years, while also working on their farms.

“It is dry season and it is driest on the mountain. The animals cry out at the foot of the mountain like newborn babies. It’s heartbreaking. We earn merit by helping them. We feel pity for them, so we carry water up the mountain, though it is exhausting,” he said.

Because the climb is difficult, each of them can only carry around ten litres per trip, which they pour into plastic barrels or rock crevices for the animals to drink.

Some animals, extremely thirsty, drink it all immediately after the volunteers leave the scenes.

Seeing their efforts, local Buddhist followers and other villagers donate rice and corn for the animals, while others give money to help the volunteers buy drinking water for their trips up the mountain.

“We don’t get paid, but we feel compassion for the wildlife. If we have rice, they eat it. If we have corn, they eat it too. We just keep doing it. If we don’t help take care of them, who will?,” asked Bunthoeun.

Recently, due to extreme thirst, a red muntjac came down from the mountain and wandered into a village, where it was promptly captured.

Upon hearing the news, the volunteers went to request the deer’s release and returned it to its natural habitat on the mountain.

Beyond feeding the animals, the volunteers also patrol the forest regularly to remove traps and snares and prevent hunting.

Additionally, they work to prevent and extinguish forest fires, and have helped to fight fires in at least seven locations already this dry season.

They called for people to be cautious when using open flames, and also reminded people that they are always available to fight fires. Anyone who comes across a fire should call them to assist.

Initially, poachers were not afraid of them, believing that the volunteers had no authority to stop them.

However, after the commune authorities officially provided them with uniforms labelled “Wildlife Conservation Volunteers” and “Village guard”, they were able to take action against illegal activities, protecting both the forest and the villagers’ environment.

The volunteers were also concerned that wild bees have completely disappeared from the area, as they have not spotted any during their patrols.

They also note that while their efforts have gained wide support when posted videos on social media, very few people have actually made donations.

They called on those who wish to support their volunteer work or provide animal feed to contact them at 088 481 95 89.