Wildlife Trade
This illegal international trade also attracts traders and hunters from neighbouring countries.
The kouprey, Cambodia's national animal, Rhinoceros and Hog Deer probably have become extinct in the country. Tiger, Asian Elephant, wild water buffalo, and Eld's Deer also are threatened with extinction in Cambodia in the next few years, and populations of other species are very small and might also disappear in the future.
Wildlife trade is a tempting profession to poor people. As the gap between demand and supply is growing, there are even greater financial incentives for all economic classes to engage in this trade. Fortunately, there have been increasing efforts by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), the Ministry of Environment (MoE), other government agencies, and NGOs to combat wildlife trade. Yet, despite their efforts, the trade appears to be continuing at an alarming rate.
