Posted on June, 10 2016

3,700 snares removed and 260 kg of wild meat destroyed in 4 months in Eastern Plains Landscape

Phnom Penh, Cambodia – 09 June 2016 – WWF today called for a major increase in law enforcement activities in Cambodia’s Eastern Plains Landscape in Mondulkiri province to combat a surge in illegal logging and wildlife poaching. Ranger patrols are demonstrating impressive results but need additional support to protect Cambodia’s wildlife.
 
Between February and May, rangers in the Eastern Plains Landscape conducted more than 300 patrols in Mondulkiri Protected Forest (MPF) and Phnom Prich Wildlife sanctuary (PPWS). Together all rangers walked more than 22,000 kilometres in total in search of poachers, illegal fishers and loggers. They removed 3,700 snares and traps, destroyed 16 illegal camps and found 260 kg of meat of protected species including banteng, wild pig, muntjac, gaur, and black douc langurs. Rangers also confiscated chainsaws, motorbikes, a truck and five rifles, among them three AK47s. Thirty offenders were arrested; several were taken to court and the others penalized.
 
“These rangers are doing heroic work to protect Cambodia’s natural heritage. To save our remaining natural heritage, we need to strengthen law enforcement through joint forces with the government and communities to keep poachers and illegal loggers out of the protected areas. We will continue working in a close collaboration with the Ministry of the Environment to protect forests and biodiversity”, said Chhith Sam Ath, Country Director of WWF-Cambodia.
 
Community patrols outside of conservation areas were also extremely successful. Rangers worked closely with community patrolling teams in Chikhlob, Srea Thom, Putung Puhung, Khnheng, and Phnom Khadok to combat wildlife crime. More than 300 community members, rangers, one police officer, and 16 experts from WWF patrolled more than 2,000 kilometers. They removed more than 1,500 cable snares and confiscated over 100 kg of wild meat. While seizing illegal equipment, they also discovered electrical shock equipment used by poachers and illegal fishers to kill animals. Restaurants were searched for wild meat and road blocks to Phnom Penh checked cars for illegal wild meat.
 
Patrols turned up a shocking inventory of illegal wood. In the parks and community areas, rangers found 476 luxury wood trees cut down and abandoned, and confiscated 630 logs of luxury wood totaling 51.83 cubic meters.  Meanwhile, more than 95,000 pieces of processed lumber, measuring in total nearly 25,000 cubic meters, were recorded in Economic Land Concessions (ELCs).
 
This call to intensify law enforcement comes on the heels of a major workshop, where WWF brought together EPL stakeholders to address the poaching crisis. Participants discussed concrete solutions and the cooperation necessary to continue protecting the unique value of the landscape. Law enforcement and training of rangers and officials are a key element to the protection of the landscape’s value.
 
To this point, WWF, USAID and Winrock International jointly organized trainings from March to May for both WWF staff and rangers from MPF and PPWS. Community members, a village chief and police officers took part in practical field trainings. WWF law enforcement experts also organized a mission for freshwater dolphin and bird conservation in the Mekong forests.
 
In the near future, WWF recommends several key actions to combat wildlife crime. Patrols should keep more detailed records of animal species and illegal wood, while heavy equipment such as chainsaws and tractors must be removed to avoid further illegal use. Communities patrolling with rangers and police officers need to be strengthened and a meeting with the Minister of the Environment is important for further intervention. Rangers need to follow up on the owners of illegal settlements who remain in the area. While the owners of two illegal settlements moved out, two others refused to vacate their settlements. The cases against them will be taken to court after collecting more information.