PHNOM PENH, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Two giant ibises and one banteng were killed by poachers earlier this week in Kulen Promtep Wildlife Sanctuary (KPWS) and Cheb Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS) in northwestern Cambodia's Preah Vihear province, said a joint statement on Saturday.
Released by the Ministry of Environment (MoE) and Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), the statement said the carcasses of the two giant ibises were found dead on a tree in the CWS, while the carcass of banteng was spotted in the KPWS.
The poachers left behind the skeleton including the skull and feet after burning the remains, said the statement.
Giant ibis is Cambodia's national bird, and it is classified as critically endangered globally, the statement said, adding that although it was formerly widespread in Southeast Asia, it is now only found in Cambodia where there are thought to be less than 300 individuals remaining.
Banteng is listed as a globally endangered species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Its population has dramatically decreased over the last few decades, mostly due to habitat loss and hunting for meat and horns.
Based on recent monitoring data from several sites and organizations, it is likely that the total population is currently less than 1,500 in Cambodia, the statement said.
"The MoE and WCS would like to appeal to the public for their active participation in the protection and conservation of these and other rare wildlife for the next generation. Specifically, all offenders, please stop hunting and snaring activities immediately because they are illegal," the statement said.
"The MoE would like to request that the local authorities at all levels and relevant partners continue educating, raising awareness and strengthening law enforcement in order to protect and conserve the forest and wildlife, especially rare species such as these," it added. Enditem
