The Buffalo Bank project, a successful initiative by non-governmental organisation WCS Cambodia, has yielded 34 new buffalo offspring since its inception in 2021, despite the unfortunate loss of three shortly after birth.

This project, titled 'Our Tonle Sap,' revealed its progress through a social media post dated July 14.

'Our Tonle Sap' originally began with a distribution of 50 female buffalos amongst 25 families hailing from three different villages in Prolay, within the Stoung district of Kampong Thom province.

It is worth noting that Say Samal, the Minister of Environment, has demonstrated significant support and care for the project.

"The minister's avid interest has enabled the Buffalo Bank to aid the development of community livelihoods within the Tonle Sap Northern Lowland Protected Landscape, as well as in other Cambodian protected areas," cited the project report.

This pioneering scheme in Kampong Thom receives coordination and technical support from WCS, an organisation committed to the conservation of rare and endangered species within the Tonle Sap floodplain, including the critically endangered Bengal florican.

In addition to the buffalo project, WCS works hand in hand with provincial and local veterinarians to administer regular vaccinations against ailments such as hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), and lumpy skin disease, as well as performing routine deworming. The community can boast over 1000 animals that have received these essential vaccinations.

In collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, WCS has initiated a training course on buffalo husbandry in the Stong district of Kampong Thom province.

"All keepers have the opportunity to learn and enhance their buffalo care skills. We persist in supporting regular meetings to understand new and ongoing challenges, whilst collaboratively seeking solutions," the social media post elucidated.