Conservationists from the group Wildlife Alliance took part last week in raids on seven restaurants in Ratanakkiri’s Banlung town, and found that three were serving meat from legally protected animals.

The raid, which was carried out with the military police, resulted in the confiscation of more than 30kg of rabbit, wild pig, deer and porcupine meat, Wildlife Alliance official Prum Nol, who joined the operation, said.

One of the raided restaurateurs criticised officials for singling out his business so harshly.

“If they really want to stop the wild-animal trade, please go to the forest to arrest the hunters. Do not come to my restaurant,” he said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Phak Seangly at [email protected]