Forest rangers in Koh Kong province freed a pair of Bengal monitor lizards and seized wildlife snares and nets designed to catch birds during recent patrols of three protected areas in the province.
During a December 4 patrol, rangers dismantled an illegal campsite in the Tatai Wildlife Sanctuary in Thmar Bang district. Although the perpetrators were not identified, officials seized a motorcycle and nine snares, along with two Bengal monitor lizards.
The rescued reptiles were released into the forest the following day, near Teuk La’ork village, Chi Phat commune, Thmar Bang district, within the sanctuary.
On December 5, rangers stationed in the Dong Peng Multiple Use area under the Koh Kong Provincial Department of Environment discovered seven illegal bird-catching nets, totalling 270 metres in length, close to Praing village, Dong Peng commune, Sre Ambel district. The items were seized.
On the dame day, rangers from the Chhay Areng Patrol Post in the Cardamom National Park, working with elements of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and Wildlife Alliance, confiscated 12 wildlife snares near Chamnar village, Bralay commune of Thmar Bang district.
Rangers in the Peam Krasop Wildlife Sanctuary patrolled two sites which were previously cleared for private use. The two cases are currently before the court. The team installed six signboards warning against forest clearing, land encroachment, poaching or burning, in Tuol Koki Leu village, Tuol Koki commune, Mondol Seima district, which is located within the sanctuary.
