Hairy-nosed Otters, Fishing Cats, Long-tailed Macaques… Found in Cambodia’s Mangrove Forests Leave Biologists Astonished.
According to The Guardian, biologists conducted one of the largest surveys in the Peam Krasop Wildlife Sanctuary and the adjacent Koh Kapik Ramsar Site in Cambodia. They were astonished to discover a significant number of wildlife living in this area.
A Fishing Cat in the Peam Krasop Wildlife Sanctuary – (Photo: Fauna & Flora/FCEE).
Stefanie Rog, the survey team leader, stated: “We found 700 different species in this mangrove forest, but we suspect that we haven’t even scratched the surface. If we could survey this area more deeply, we would find ten times more, I’m sure of it.”
“We even found species like the Giant Snakehead, Barramundi, and juvenile Grouper. This is clearly an important breeding ground for fish species, a food source for the local community, and a supply for commercial fishing,” Rog added.
One notable species discovered in this mangrove forest is the Fishing Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus). Rog shared: “It’s very rare to see a Fishing Cat, and we only detected them through camera traps.”
Somewhat larger than domestic cats, Fishing Cats possess a strong build, short limbs, and a robust body. Unlike most other cat species, they are quite excited to swim. Their front toes have a partial webbing and retractable claws, aiding their hunting abilities, primarily targeting fish and rodents.
Smooth-coated Otters in the mangrove forest – (Photo: Fauna & Flora/FCEE).
Another even rarer species, the Hairy-nosed Otter (Lutra sumatrana), was also captured on camera in several areas of the mangrove forest. Rog noted that this is the rarest otter species in Asia and is on the brink of extinction.
The research team also discovered 74 species of fish, 150 species of birds, of which 15 are classified as threatened or endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
“The mangrove forest is very beautiful, lush, mysterious, and teeming with life. I know there is still so much to explore, that another world is waiting to be discovered,” Rog expressed.
Peam Krasop Mangrove Forest: The survey team discovered 700 species, including 74 species of fish in the coastal waters – (Photo: FFI R5/Steph Baker/Fauna & Flora).
The World Has Lost 40% of Its Mangrove Forests Mangrove forests form narrow strips of dense vegetation along tropical and subtropical coastlines. They play a crucial role in protecting land and the local inhabitants. They slow down coastal erosion and protect coastal communities from flooding and storms; effectively trap carbon compared to other types of forests and serve as a refuge for many beautiful animal species. However, over the past few decades, the world has lost approximately 40% of its mangrove forest area, often cleared for resorts or agriculture. |
