Phnom Penh, March 15, 2024 – Phnom Penh, March 15, 2024 – Recent estimates from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) suggest that there are approximately 8,000 wild leopards globally, with Cambodia being home to nearly 1,500 of these elusive animals.

The Wildlife Alliance, on March 15, 2024, highlighted the kouprey, a majestic and endearing species of wild cattle indigenous to Southeast Asia, and noted for being the progenitors of the domestic cattle found in the region. Koupreys are primarily found in the sprawling dry forests of Cambodia where they graze on a diet of grass, fruits, and flowers.

The conservation group expressed concerns over the dwindling numbers of koupreys due to relentless poaching, habitat loss, and diseases. "Tragically, there are only about 8,000 koupreys remaining in the wild, and the largest population of these animals is in Cambodia," stated the Wildlife Alliance.

Koupreys typically inhabit forested areas and can be found in mixed herds alongside other species like wild oxen and different varieties of deer. They thrive in environments that offer streams, rivers, ponds, and pools surrounded by grassy areas and a variety of plants and shrubs, commonly found across the northeast, southwest, and northern regions of Cambodia.

Koupreys bear a strong resemblance to domestic cows in shape and hoof structure, with distinctive differences such as the absence of a hump on the back and a downward sagging neck. Adult koupreys are characterized by their white legs from the knees down and a white patch on the rump. Their horns are distinctly round and dark yellow with a glossy finish, tapering to black at the tips. Koupreys have a gestation period of approximately 10 months, typically giving birth to one or two calves, with the possibility of conceiving again two months postpartum.