khmer sources

Photographs by WWF

Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary is one of Cambodia's natural wonders. Located in the northwestern Mondulkiri province, the area has been charming tourists with its picturesque forests and tranquil surroundings. It's also a haven for a wide range of wildlife, including some endangered species.

Mr. Han Sakhan is the deputy director of Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary (PPWS). "The area was designated a wildlife sanctuary and nature reserve in 1993. It has an area of 222,500 hectares, covering three districts - Keo Sima, Koh Nhek, and Sen Monorom. The park lays 20 km north-west of the provincial town, on national road 76".

"Phnom Prich contains range of mountains, a mix of forests and lowlands. This is interspersed with prairies, ponds, and water channels. It provides ideal shelter for large mammals such as elephants, bantengs, gaurs, tigers, and wild buffalos, as well as bears, bovid and other smaller carnivores and primates".

"According to a survey in 2001, the forest has roughly a dozen large wild animal species but no wild-ox or rhinoceros. We installed automatic cameras to record the park's animals, but failed to detect the presence of wild-ox and rhinoceros," said Han Sakhan. "There are around a hundred bird species here, including waterfowl".

"Besides providing shelter to a diverse range of wildlife, the Sanctuary is also home to more than 100 indigenous families, mostly from the Phnong minority. They make their living entirely from the park's natural resources, utilizing natural resins, vines, rattans, herbal trees, and forest products".

"In the past, during the civil war between the government and Khmer Rouge, the area was a tactic base for the Khmer Rouge forces. Today, the region is again quiet, becoming popular amongst foreign tourists attracted by its natural beauty – the mountains, valleys, and prairies, the wildlife and the traditional lifestyle of the Phnong people".

"Tourists wishing to visit Phnom Prich should contact the park's ranger-guides: They will guide them around the site … if visitors want to see more, they can camp here for up to one week. It gives them the time to enjoy the area's natural beauty. Visitors can also see Phnom Prich by riding elephants, a facility offered by the Phnong minority", said Sakhan. "Hiring an elephant and handler costs around $10 per day".

"Currently, people come there to see the natural riches, the herds of elephants, gaurs, wild pigs, and the evergreen, semi-evergreen, and mixed deciduous forests. But those are not the only valuable resources. Underground is another potential – companies have been licensed to studying the possibility of gold", added Sakhan. "This might provide addition prosperity in the future".

The Worldwide Wildlife Funds' Dry Forest Species Project Manager to Cambodia is Andy Maxwell. "Currently, there are 40 rangers at 5 different locations, all under supervision of the Director and Deputy Director: WWF has been providing support for ranger operations since 2002".

"The sanctuary is particularly rich in habitat diversity, ranging from evergreen hill forests, through semi-evergreen, mixed deciduous, deciduous dipterocarp forest, to open woodlands and grasslands. Some parts in the southeast are moist and hilly, while in the north and western parts, it is dry and flat, with scattered waterholes and ponds. There are 3 important streams, on the east and the south, with very clean water which flows all year; all have potential for eco-tourism".

"In terms of wildlife, the northern and western lowlands contain scattered ponds, supporting many important large waterfowl species; These include Cambodia's national bird, the Giant Ibis, as well as White-shouldered Ibis, Sarus Crane, Lesser Adjutant, Woolly-necked Stork, Grey-headed Fish Eagle, and others. Other important bird species include Green Peafowl, and the White-rumped, Slender-billed and Red-headed Vultures: These are relatively common in PPWS and Mondulkiri Protected Forest, and in northern Cambodia. They are rare in other surrounding countries".

"Most importantly, PPWS is vital for its Asian elephant population; It's an endangered species which is seriously threatened with extinction over most of its former range. PPWS also harbours a diversity of carnivores, like tiger, leopard, marbled cat, jungle cat, fishing cat, and dholes (Asian wild dog). The dense forest areas support threatened primate species, Yellow-cheeked gibbon, Black-shanked Douc, and Silvered Langur".

"In regard to forests types, there are evergreen, semi-evergreen and mixed deciduous forests, all with high canopy – often as high as 30 meters. The canopy for all these forests is closed in the rainy season, but the semi-evergreen and mixed deciduous forests are open canopy during the dry season. The more closed forest habitat is good for primates (monkeys and gibbons). The number of tree species is fairly high, but we don't know clearly - to date, no detailed scientific surveys on vegetation have been completed. The open deciduous dipterocarp forest and woodlands are not diverse in their canopy species (only about 5-6 species account for most of the canopy trees), but the undergrowth and ground layer vegetation can be much more diverse, including diverse grass species in the ground layer. Fire is an important factor in forest structure and function, and it is important to note that frequent fire may be needed to maintain the open forests that serve as valuable wildlife habitat".

"How many species of animals and birds are found in the area?", Andy Maxwell mulled, "we do not know the numbers or population counts accurately. The camera-trap images at least tell us which species are present".

"The area is a harmonious habitat for indigenous people. Generally, the lifestyles and livelihoods of the local Phnong communities respect the wildlife and natural resources inside Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary, although some hunting in the past may not have been sustainable. Currently, most threats to wildlife and natural resources come from outside the local communities; outsiders move into the area and increase the hunting, logging, and pollution. Local indigenous people are very knowledgeable about wildlife and resources, and more than 50% of the Department of Nature Conservation and Protection rangers working in PPWS are Phnong men from local communities. Some of them are former hunters, who are now very good at patrolling and protection. Because the relationship between local communities and PPWS authorities is relatively good, the local people help with monitoring in the sanctuary, providing useful information on wildlife observations and illegal activities", Andy observed.

"The area also attracts foreign tourists. Up to now, the supporting services for tourists are not very good - there are not enough rangers to help guide tourists, and the roads into PPWS are very difficult, even in the dry season. But if the access improves in the future, PPWS has great potential for river trips by canoe or raft, home stays in local villages, and hiking through very diverse habitats, and enjoying the beautiful streams and waterfalls. Eventually, when wildlife populations recover, there is a good potential to see large mammals like banteng, gaur, Eld's deer, and primates, as well as large waterfowl and green peafowl. This is true for the whole landscape, including the Mondulkiri Protected Forest which is adjacent to PPWS".

Today, the future of Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary looks safe. The value of this natural treasure is appreciated and under protection. For the visitor, Phnom Prich is well worth the long haul north, offering glimpses of rare wildlife, rich and diverse natural forests, and traditional indigenous cultures which have disappeared from other parts of the country.