BCOMING x Fauna & Flora Cambodia Takeover
Highlighting Conservation Efforts in Cambodia’s Karst Ecosystems
This September, Fauna & Flora and BCOMING took on a very special campaign: The Cambodia Takeover series, bringing attention to the vital work that is being carried out in the country. Every Thursday, we’ve explored different facets of Cambodia’s unique biodiversity, highlighting Fauna & Flora’s work while fostering a deeper understanding of the country’s natural heritage. Through this collaboration, we wanted to show the incredible work being done by Fauna & Flora and how it ties into the broader goals of the BCOMING project.
Exploring Cambodia's Karst Landscape
One of the focal points of this campaign is Cambodia’s karst landscapes in the Battambang and Steung Treng provinces, a haven for many rare and endangered species. These limestone formations provide shelter to a variety of wildlife, including bats, geckos, and lesser-known creatures like cave-dwelling spiders and ghost snails. However, these fragile ecosystems are under threat from destructive practices like cement mining, making conservation efforts more urgent than ever.
In collaboration with BCOMING, Fauna & Flora has been conducting comprehensive biodiversity surveys in these karst habitats, focusing on taxonomic groups such as cave bats, invertebrates, and reptiles. Excitingly, recent surveys in the Battambang province have uncovered remarkable findings, including several species of cave-dependent geckos previously unknown to science. Led by expert herpetologists from La Sierra University, alongside Fauna & Flora, the Ministry of Environment, and local specialists, these discoveries are enhancing our understanding of this unique ecosystem and contributing to its conservation.
© Hun Seiha / Fauna & Flora
This data will play a crucial role in shaping future conservation efforts and guiding policy development for the protection of Cambodia’s karst regions.
Camera Trap Discoveries: A Glimpse into Cambodia's Wildlife
As part of the fieldwork, camera traps have been set up across the karst landscapes, capturing images of a variety of rare and endangered species. Some notable sightings include:
Mainland serow (IUCN Status: Vulnerable): This goat-like mammal, with its bristly coat and distinctive horns, inhabits forested mountainous regions.
Sunda pangolin (IUCN Status: Critically Endangered): Known for its armor of scales, the Sunda pangolin is a nocturnal feeder, using its long tongue to consume ants and termites.
Green peafowl (IUCN Status: Endangered): Famous for their iridescent plumage, these large birds thrive in Cambodia’s wild spaces.
Long-tailed macaque (IUCN Status: Endangered): These adaptable primates are found throughout Southeast Asia, both in forests and human settlements.
These camera-trap findings not only provide crucial data on the species present in these areas but also demonstrate the richness of Cambodia’s biodiversity, reinforcing the importance of preserving these wild spaces.
BCOMING X Fauna & Flora
BCOMING’s collaboration with Fauna & Flora Cambodia extends beyond uncovering biodiversity—it’s about empowering conservation efforts on the ground. The results of these surveys will guide future initiatives and inform policy development, ensuring long-term protection for Cambodia’s karst ecosystems. From identifying key species and habitats to the discovery of newly identified cave-dwelling geckos, these efforts are crucial for shaping the conservation landscape in Cambodia.
The collaboration between Fauna & Flora and BCOMING exemplifies how international partnerships can drive effective, data-driven conservation efforts. Together, we’re working to preserve Cambodia’s incredible natural heritage for generations to come.
Stay tuned for more updates from the field and join us in supporting the conservation of Cambodia’s remarkable biodiversity! Together, we can make a lasting impact on the future of these precious ecosystems.
