Reintroducing Tigers in Cambodia by End of 2024
By the end of 2024, Cambodia plans to reintroduce tigers into the Cardamom Mountains. This initiative will see three tigresses and one male tiger transferred from India to Cambodia as part of this groundbreaking project.
Tigers Return to Cambodia
According to Chea Samang, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Environment, all preparations for the tigers’ arrival are complete. Adaptation sites, monitoring centers, and technical facilities are ready to ensure a smooth transition for the tigers.
During the “Tiger Re-Introduction Strategy in Cambodia” conference held in Phnom Penh on May 23, Indian Ambassador Devyani Khobragade announced that the tigers are expected to arrive in November or December.
“However, plans might be delayed if Cambodia experiences continuous rain, which would affect the animals’ adaptation,” Khobragade stated. “If the weather is favorable, we will try to send the tigers to Cambodia as soon as possible.”
The last sighting of an Indochinese tiger in Cambodia was captured by a camera trap in Mondulkiri province in 2007. Since then, no other tigers have been observed. This marks the first time India is assisting Cambodia in reintroducing tigers into the wild, making it a historic event, said Khobragade. She emphasized the strong ties between Cambodia and India and expressed pride in their collaboration to preserve this speci
A Joint Effort for Conservation
Currently, India has about 3,500 tigers, the largest population in the world, while the rest of the world has only about 5,000. At the conference, Chea Samang addressed the issue of poaching, stating that there are no traps in the central area of the forest, which spans 1.4 million hectares.
Can tigers pose a threat to people living near the protected area of the Cardamom Mountains?
“While tigers can be a threat by killing livestock or causing physical and material damage, preventive and conservation measures will be implemented, and information will be widely disseminated among local residents,” said Chea Samang.
The central area of the rehabilitation project is about 25 kilometers from the nearest village. “If a tiger kills someone’s livestock, they will be compensated,” he added.
For safety, the four tigers will be equipped with tracking systems to monitor their movements day and night. Additionally, 410 cameras have been installed, the largest number ever used in Cambodia to track wildlife and collect data.
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Why the Cardamom Mountains?
Over 20 years ago, the Cardamom Mountains were severely deforested, and wildlife was indiscriminately hunted. In response to this devastation, the Cambodian government sought help from the Wildlife Alliance to implement conservation measures.
For the past two decades, the Wildlife Alliance has worked with Cambodian authorities to protect and conserve the area. According to Chea Samang, the presence of tigers can boost tourism in the region, showcasing the area’s rich biodiversity and contributing to the balance of the ecosystem.
“After 20 years of protection work, I see that the Cardamom Mountains have become a haven and have sufficient potential for the restoration of this species,” said Suwanna Gauntlett, CEO of Wildlife Alliance.
The Cardamom Mountains cover over 1.5 million hectares in southwest Cambodia and are home to many natural resources and endangered species, such as Asian elephants.
Biologically, tigers can live in various habitats with sufficient water, food, and shade, and they can live up to 25 years. The large tiger is an endangered species listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
A New Beginning for Cambodia’s Tigers
The reintroduction of tigers into Cambodia’s Cardamom Mountains represents a significant step towards conservation and ecological restoration. This collaboration between Cambodia and India underscores the importance of international cooperation in preserving endangered species and promoting biodiversity.
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Author: Tom Starkey
Tom Starkey is an International Development graduate from Sussex University with 12-years of experience across 4 continents, Tom's goal is that he wants to showcase his love for Cambodia, where he lives, works and now happily calls home.
