The Ministry of Environment and NatureLife Cambodia have requested that local authorities pursue legal action against the individuals who are reported to have poisoned a large number of endangered birds in the Boeng Prek Lpov protected landscape in Takeo province, some of which are on the verge of extinction.
NatureLife and the Boeng Prek Lpov management team expressed “great concern” after the February 16 discovery of a large number of poisoned birds at a watering hole which is maintained for the use of bird life during the dry season.
According to NatureLife’s social media post on February 18, among the dead birds were 10 Indian spot-billed ducks (Anas poecilorhyncha hartingoni), an Asian openbill stork (Anastomus oscitans) and a little egret (Egretta garzetta). One Eastern marsh harrier (Circus spilonotus) was reportedly found in a serious ill condition, and is receiving treatment.
Samples from the deceased animals have been meticulously documented and sent to a specialised agency for further examination through the Wildlife Health Monitoring Programme.
“We are very concerned, as mass poisoning events have had a huge negative impact. It can kill all kinds of species including both threatened ones as well as common species of birds and fish and domestic animals that also access this water source. Moreover, we are aware that hunters conduct poisoning for the purpose of consumption and the wild meat trade,” said the post.
It added that as an organisation which is actively involved in conservation efforts on-site, it requested local authorities and stakeholders join forces to stop all poisoning and hunting in Boeung Prek Lpov, for the benefit of human well-being as well as to protect globally threatened species.
Khvay Atiya, undersecretary of state of the Ministry of Environment, said on February 19 that the ministry regretted the recent poisoning incident at the protected landscape, located in Takeo province’s Borei Cholsar and Koh Andet districts.
He added that the ministry is very concerned about the threat to wildlife posed by the use of poison in rice fields, lakes and waterholes, and other places where animals forage. It warned that it is also a threat to human health.
“We request that the authorities take action against all offenders and call for an immediate halt to offences such as poisoning, hunting, trafficking and the consumption of bushmeat. All of these actions have serious consequences for biodiversity and human and animal health,” he continued.
“This poisoning not only killed many species of animals, including some which are on the verge of extinction, but domestic animals which drank the water. There is also the serious risk that people living nearby could be poisoned,” he said.
Atiya noted that officials have filed formal complaints with the district and provincial administrations, calling for the arrest of the perpetrators.
He requested that relevant authorities and all local residents increase their contribution to the protection and conservation of natural resources by curbing the poisoning of wildlife and ending the poaching and trapping of all animal species.
“Please stop eating bushmeat, or allowing it to be sold in public places and restaurants. Bushmeat could also be poisonous, which places a high risk on consumers. It could be fatal,” he warned.
