KRATIE: After the Siem Pang Wildlife Sanctuary, the Sambo Wildlife Sanctuary of the Mekong Flooded Forest in Kratie province has been considered the most important site for the critically endangered bird, White-shouldered Ibis.

According to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the results from this year’s population census of White-shouldered Ibis in Cambodia showed Sambo Wildlife Sanctuary of the Mekong Flooded Forest has increased by 252 birds, along with a record of 16 roosting sites. The Cambodian total population of the species is estimated at 754 individuals.

According to a national survey, other important sites where the White-shouldered Ibis was recorded include Kulen Promtep, Lomphat, and Phnom Prich of the Eastern Plains landscape.

The national census was conducted by a consortium partnership consisting of the Ministry of Environment, NatureLife/Birdlife in Cambodia (BirdLife International Cambodia Programme), World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS Cambodia), Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity (ACCB), and Rising Phoenix.