Neth Pheaktra, spokesman for the Ministry of Environment, speaks during the release of the hog deer population survey results in Kratie province, Cambodia on June 16, 2022. Eighty-four globally endangered hog deer are roaming grassland habitats in the Prek Prasob Wildlife Sanctuary of Mekong flooded forest in northeastern Cambodia, according to the first camera-trap survey of the hog deer population released on Thursday.(Photo: Xinhua)

 

A hog deer is captured by a camera trap in the Prek Prasob Wildlife Sanctuary in Kratie, Cambodia in January 2022. Eighty-four globally endangered hog deer are roaming grassland habitats in the Prek Prasob Wildlife Sanctuary of Mekong flooded forest in northeastern Cambodia, according to the first camera-trap survey of the hog deer population released on Thursday.(Photo: Xinhua)

 

Hog deer are captured by a camera trap in the Prek Prasob Wildlife Sanctuary in Kratie, Cambodia in January 2022. Eighty-four globally endangered hog deer are roaming grassland habitats in the Prek Prasob Wildlife Sanctuary of Mekong flooded forest in northeastern Cambodia, according to the first camera-trap survey of the hog deer population released on Thursday.(Photo: Xinhua)

 

A hog deer is captured by a camera trap in the Prek Prasob Wildlife Sanctuary in Kratie, Cambodia in January 2022. Eighty-four globally endangered hog deer are roaming grassland habitats in the Prek Prasob Wildlife Sanctuary of Mekong flooded forest in northeastern Cambodia, according to the first camera-trap survey of the hog deer population released on Thursday.(Photo: Xinhua)

 
Eighty-four globally endangered hog deer are roaming grassland habitats in the Prek Prasob Wildlife Sanctuary of Mekong flooded forest in northeastern Cambodia, according to the first camera-trap survey of the hog deer population released on Thursday.

Jointly conducted by the Ministry of Environment and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in January, the survey result showed the presence of multiple fawns, indicating a reproduction of the rare spices is taking place in its natural habitats.

Axis porcinus, or hog deer, listed as a globally endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List, was once considered extinct until its rediscovery in 2006 in Kratie, with their presence confirmed by camera-trapping.

Neth Pheaktra, secretary of state and spokesman for the Ministry of Environment, said he is delighted and proud that the natural environment in Cambodia provides a safe haven for the survival of globally significant species such as the hog deer, whose presence and reproduction have been confirmed in Prek Prasob Wildlife Sanctuary.

"Peace and political stability in Cambodia have created a favorable environment for the Ministry of Environment, communities, local authorities, and all development partners to work together to manage and conserve the natural resources, and as a result, forests and wildlife are protected, while the number of some wildlife species have increased," he said at the launch of the survey result.

"It is critical that we continue strengthening our cooperation for protecting and conserving the biodiversity in our protected areas in support of building better local economies, especially through the development of ecotourism and for the benefit of ecosystems in Cambodia and the world," he added.

Pheaktra urged all people living around the protected areas to participate in natural resources and biodiversity conservation, stop poaching and snaring, cease selling and buying wildlife and bushmeat consumption, and take part in conserving rare wild animals such as the hog deer for the benefit of future generations.

Seng Teak, WWF Cambodia country director, said the hog deer's survival is threatened by habitat loss, poaching and snaring crisis, fueled by the illegal wildlife trade.

"The current findings not only place Cambodia's reputation on the global stage, it also highlights the global importance of the Mekong landscape as critical habitats for both terrestrial and aquatic wildlife survival," he said.

He added that concerted actions are urgently needed to protect the last refuge of this rare hog deer species.

Prek Prasob Wildlife Sanctuary has a total area of 12,770 hectares.

"It is the first ever hog deer population survey in Cambodia 16 years after its rediscovery, supporting the conservation of this rare species in the world," said Em Sam Un, biodiversity research and monitoring manager in Mekong Flooded Forest of WWF.

Eng Sokhorn, a member of Chroy Banteay community patrolling team in Prek Prasob Wildlife Sanctuary, said she is thrilled that rare hog deer still thrives in the natural forest of Kratie province.

"Like other community patrol members, I am encouraged to participate in the forest conservation, especially through patrolling, to protect wildlife from snares, ensuring wildlife survival and protecting our precious natural resources for the next generations," she said.