Cambodia is a country in Southeast Asia that is defined by its diverse landscapes and fauna as much as it is by its people. In an effort to protect its diminishing forests and wildlife, and in response to international pressures, the Cambodian government set up the Kulen Prum Tep Wildlife Sanctuary in the northern Cambodian province of Oddar Meanchey in 1993. Unfortunately, due to a lack of regulation and a corrupt political system, the protected area commonly experiences prohibited activities like logging, slash-and burn agriculture, illegal settlements, and poaching. Frontier Network, a British conservation organization and NGO (non-governmental organization), undertook a preliminary study of the area to document the species living in the sanctuary, especially those that are endangered or of special concern. While working with Frontier, we were exposed to many of the illegal activities in Kulen Prum Tep. By living in close proximity to park rangers, illegal residents, and many of the area’s animal species, we were able to see how difficult it is to implement conservation practices in a country where many people go without the basic necessities of life.

Introduction

LOGGING AND POACHINGSlash-and-burn agricultural techniques are used to clear sections of protected forest, to be replaced with banana plantations. Some trees were burned and gutted to obtain sap that is used for food and fuel. In addition, the kill or capture of exotic animals is an

easy way for some Cambodians to make a living.

Wildlife Conservation in a Third-World Country: Problems of Implementation in Kulen Prum Tep, Cambodia

Kathryn Prince, Matthew Moris, Chris Maierhofer, Emilie Carlson, Andrew Ludvik, and Faculty Mentor Deborah Freund

ILLEGAL SETTLEMENTSWhen the Cambodian government set up the sanctuary, there

were still people living inside. Now, these people live there illegally because they have nowhere else to go.

The Frontier Project

Problems in Kulen Prum Tep

We would like to thank the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Office of Research and Sponsored Programs for providing funding for this project.

Acknowledgements

The purpose of this project was to conduct an initial survey of the wildlife present in Kulen Prum Tep . Once the results are published, they can be used to obtain

funding from other conservation groups with more resources and encourage future research in the area.

FENCED PITFALL TRAPS11 buckets were dug into the ground and plastic fencing was strung across, forming a blockade across a stretch of territory. These traps were used to

capture terrestrial animals like reptiles, amphibians, and beetles.

TRACK AND SCAT ANALYSESThe presence of more elusive animals was recorded by examining tracks and scat. In areas where extensive tracks were found, such as muddy riverbeds, motion-censored cameras were also set up to capture the animals on film.

SHERMAN TRAPSSmall mammals, many of which are nocturnal, were examined using Sherman

live-capture traps. These weight-sensitive traps were baited and set out overnight in an area for one week at a time. This method allowed us to compare mammals

by habitat.

INSECT AND AMPHIBIAN NETTING Dragonflies, butterflies, and frogs were caught and catalogued using terrestrial nets in hour-long sampling sessions during each animal’s respective peak activity time.