World’s Endangered Bird Species Giant Ibis Finds Sanctuary In Cambodia

By Vijian Paramasivam

PHNOM PENH, Feb 18 (Bernama) -- The giant ibis, recognised as one of the world's most endangered bird species, has found a vital sanctuary in Cambodia. 

Conservationists estimate that an astonishing 95 per cent of the global giant ibis population resides within the lush Cambodian forest. 

Cambodia's rich biodiversity and conservation efforts have made the nation a critical hidden haven for threatened wildlife and bird species - making it an irreplaceable home for these rare creatures at risk of disappearing elsewhere.

The critically endangered giant ibis or Thaumatibis gigantea, once roamed neighbouring Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam but over the years, its population has become extinct. Now, it is primarily found in parts of northeastern Cambodia.

Cambodia also hosts about 780 white-shouldered ibis (Pseudibis davisoni).

“There are 194 matured individuals, almost  95 per cent (of the world’s population) in Cambodia and a few were sighted along the Cambodian-Laos border. 

“It is endemic to Cambodia and it is also the national bird of Cambodia. So we are trying our best to protect them,” NatureLife Cambodia’s Chief Executive Officer Bou Vorsak told Bernama.

The Preah Vihear Protected Forest and provinces like Mondulkiri and Ratanakiri and Stung Treng’s Siem Pang have become favourite breeding grounds for these large birds.

Globally, only 290 giant ibises remain, including mature individuals capable of reproduction, while the rest are either juveniles or senescent individuals.

A well-built mature grey male giant ibis is about 40 inches (102 cm)  long and weighs around nine pounds (4kg), with a wingspan of up to 22 inches (55 cm). 

Their familiar grounds are the lowlands and these birds forage around paddy fields and pools in Cambodia’s popular deciduous dipterocarp forest. 

They often feed on frogs, crabs, earthworms, insects and mole-crickets, according to wildlife researchers.  

Bird watchers say the ibis produces loud and long calls in the morning that can be heard up to nearly two kilometres away.

“They live in small groups and we monitor their numbers when they come to feed in nearby ponds. We track them by listening to their morning calls,” said Vorsak.

He said the giant ibis’ population has dwindled over the years in Southeast Asia and also in Cambodia due to poaching, their eggs being stolen, loss of proper habitats and decline in forest reserves. 

“We have formed a working group comprising experts from the government, national and intentional wildlife non-governmental organisations and the academia to design an action plan to increase the population of ibis in the future or stabilise their population in Cambodia.

“Our action plan includes protecting the habitat areas, restoring wetlands inside the forest, providing food for ibis, improving survival and breeding and conducting research for conservation action.

“This is an important bird to us, it is our national symbol and we don’t want to lose it from our natural habitat," said Vorsak. 

Prey Veng, a key habitat for the giant ibis, has become a thriving ecotourism destination, attracting local and international birdwatchers while providing villagers with sustainable livelihoods.

-- BERNAMA