Giant Ibis (Pseudibis gigantea)

IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered CITES Appendix (Not Listed)

The Giant Ibis is a bird rarely recorded during the last 100 years. Scientists presumed that the species has become extinct in Vietnam already and that only Cambodia and Laos still hold some isolated flocks. This species was recently declared Cambodia's national bird.
A rare photograph of the giant ibis, caught by a camera trap rel=
A rare photograph of the giant ibis, caught by a camera trap
© WWF-Canon
It was only in March 2003, that scientists from Birdlife International rediscovered the Giant Ibis in Yok Don National Park in Vietnam during a biodiversity survey in the area.

Last stand in Cambodia
However, they believed that the birds must have flown from Cambodia's Mondolkiri province where a globally significant remaining population of probably less than 500 individuals is making its last stand.

Another noteworthy find was of a sizable population of the Giant Ibis in Chhep district of Phreah Vihear province, deep in the heart of Cambodia's northern plains, by the team from Wildlife Conservation Society.

First ever photographs
They were also able to take the first ever photographs of this rare birds, by setting up remote camera traps in the open deciduous forests and at water holes.

The Giant Ibis is critically endangered with just a tiny declining population as a result of habitat loss, hunting, disturbance and lowland deforestation. Conservation efforts is very crucial to protect this jewel of the dry forests before it is too late when the last known bird disappears from our planet.

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