A group led by Sorng Rukhavoan committee members claim that forestry offences in the Sorng Rukhavoan Wildlife Sanctuary continue to occur and called on local authorities to help protect and prevent crimes in the area.

While patrolling the forest at Phnom Svay and Phnom Krol in the wildlife sanctuary located in Lomtong commune, Anlong Veng district, Oddar Meanchey province, the chief of the Sorng Rukhavoan committee, the venerable Bun Saluth told The Post on Wednesday that forestry offences are on the rise.

“After patrolling the forest for one week, my team found five wild animals had died from electric shock devices in the area. The carcasses were only skin and bones. My team also found around 40 new trees that were cut and a hand saw that was hidden in the area,” he said.

This month the committee found a rabbit, four deer, 300 ropes and 3,000m of rope connected to three electric shock machines.

He called on all individuals and citizens to help protect and prevent forestry wrongdoings against wild animals for the benefit of the public.

Sorng Rukhavoan Wildlife Sanctuary is a region in the northern part of Cambodia that has the greatest number of wild animals, especially rare and endangered species, including rabbits, tigers, and other animals.

Provincial Department of Environment director Phuong Lina told The Post on Wednesday that he got news of the dead animals from forest rangers who patrolled the forest with the Sorng Rukhavoan committee.

“The 30 to 40 felled trees found by the committee were not a new case. Our authorities had already investigated and retrieved 20 ox carts from the area a week ago, and the case has already been sent to court,” he said.

Three days ago, forest rangers from the Oddar Meanchey provincial Department of Environment, working in collaboration with the Phnom Rong Dek forest rangers patrolled the forest and found one ox cart delivering timber in Phnom Krol, Lomtong commune, Anlong Veng district, he added.

Meanwhile, Lina is building two towers and one more office in the Sorng Rukhavoan Wildlife Sanctuary to strengthen security and help patrol against animal crimes. The towers are 60 per cent complete. The new office is located in the Andong area, which is 10km from the Phnom Rong Dek environment office, he added.