Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Load of wildlife busted in Mondulkiri

Load of wildlife busted in Mondulkiri

Authorities stand behind caged monitor lizards in Mondulkiri province after they were seized during a raid last week. WWF
Authorities stand behind caged monitor lizards in Mondulkiri province after they were seized during a raid last week. WWF

Load of wildlife busted in Mondulkiri

Rangers from the Sre Pok Wildlife Sanctuary in Mondulkiri province intercepted two men and a minor allegedly smuggling more than 50 wild animals on Saturday evening, according to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and Koh Nhek district police.

According to WWF spokesman Un Chakrey, suspects Sambath Vutha, 25, Sambath Vuthy, 23, and a 15-year-old boy, from Koh Nhek district, were arrested after rangers discovered them carrying 117 kilograms of live animals – including eight tortoises, 40 lizards, six snakes, one long-tailed macaque, and one palm civet – in their car. The three were released the following day due to the fact that the species were not endangered.

Chakrey said that wildlife smuggling is an increasingly common problem that has proven difficult to address.

“There has been massive confiscation of snares and illegal equipment in the protected areas recently. A lot of wildlife has been found in restaurants in the provinces and cities, even though there are NGOs and relevant government authorities working to stop the trading,” he said.

In response, he added, WWF has been “taking immediate steps, such as increasing the number of patrols and establishing a mobile law enforcement unit to check restaurants”.

Still, Chakrey continued, greater efforts are needed. “Action needs to be taken quickly,” he said.

All of the wildlife discovered on Saturday has been released back into the wild, according to Kan Penh, Koh Nhek district police chief.

MOST VIEWED

  • Newest horror film showcases unique Khmer culture, identity

    At first glance, the trailer to new horror sensation The Ritual: Black Nun looks like a western-produced feature film. As the story reveals itself to the viewers, it becomes clearer that this is a Khmer film, with a strong Cambodian identity and close links to

  • Ministry orders all schools, public and private, to close for SEA Games

    From April 20 to May 18, all public and private educational institutions will be closed to maintain order and support Cambodia's hosting of the 32nd SEA Games and 12th ASEAN Para Games, said a directive from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport. Cambodia will host the

  • Almost 9K tourists see equinox sunrise at Angkor Wat

    Nearly 9,000 visitors – including 2,226 international tourists – gathered at Angkor Wat on March 21 to view the spring equinox sunrise, according to a senior official of the Siem Reap provinical tourism department. Ngov Seng Kak, director of the department, said a total of 8,726 people visited Angkor Wat to

  • Angkor Beer strengthens national pride with golden new look and fresher taste

    Angkor Beer – the "Gold of Angkor" – has a new look, one that is more stylish and carries a premium appeal, as well as a fresher taste and smoother flavour, making it the perfect choice for any gathering. Angkor Beer recently launched its new design, one

  • Water supply authority assures public shortages over early ‘24

    The Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority (PPWSA) asked for understanding from Phnom Penh residents in some communes where water pressure is weak. They assured residents that all supply issues will be resolved by early 2024, but have suggested that residents use water sparingly in the meantime.

  • Khmer ballet documentary debuts April 1

    A new documentary, The Perfect Motion, or Tep Hattha in Khmer, will premiere to the public on April 1. The documentary film follows two intertwined storylines: the creation of a show called Metamorphosis by the late Princess Norodom Buppha Devi (her very last production) and the