Hunters Take a Toll on Cambodian Wildlife
Copyright 2001 Reuters
December 13, 2001
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia, Dec. 12 (Reuters) — Poachers in Cambodia killed about 100 wild elephants, tigers, leopards and bears in the last 18 months, threatening the survival of those species in the country, conservationists said today.
The numbers of endangered animals killed by hunters make poachers the main threat to the survival of Cambodia's dwindling elephant and tiger populations, they said.
"At the current rate of attrition, these species may not be biologically viable in three to five years," said Hunter Weiler of the Cat Action Treasury, a conservation group based in the United States.
A total of 225 large mammals were killed in 3 of Cambodia's 24 provinces from May 2000 to October 2001, according to a report compiled by the group.
The animals killed included 47 bears, 26 elephants, 20 tigers, 3 leopards and over 100 wild deer and other species, the report said.
Mr. Weiler said the number of large animals killed in the other 21 provinces would push the nationwide total higher.
Elephant and tiger body parts are prized for use in traditional Chinese medicine. Deer are also popular for food and medicines.
Experts estimate that 300 to 600 wild elephants still live in remote parts of Cambodia, while the tiger population is believed to be even lower. Cambodia has laws to protect endangered animals but nearly three decades of civil war have left the country poor and the judicial system open to corruption.