Celebrate Endangered Species Day!

Meet some of the endangered animals of Cambodia...

1. Asian Elephants

Asian elephants are the second largest land animal, weighing in at around 10,000 lbs. With an almost 70% reduction of habitat in the last 50 years, there are approximately 43,000 Asian elephants remaining. Listed by the IUCN as Endangered, the species is threatened by poaching, habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation.

2. Yellow-Headed Temple Turtle

The yellow-headed temple turtle is named after the distinct yellow bands that decorate its head, and the custom of releasing these turtles in the pools of Buddhist temples. Like many river turtles, the yellow-headed temple turtle is slowly being edged towards extinction as a result of man’s actions. Taken from the wild for its meat and eggs, for use in tradition medicines, for the pet trade and for merit release into Buddhist temples, the yellow-headed temple turtle is now Endangered. Habitat loss, pollution, and entanglement in fishing nets also pose significant risk.

3. Siamese Crocodiles

This species is among the most threatened crocodiles. In 1992 it was reported as virtually extinct in the wild and in 1996 was accorded the IUCN Red List status of ‘Critically Endangered'. This status remains unchanged. Current threats include illegal collection of eggs, juveniles and adults, habitat loss, incidental capture with fishing gear, and the inherent vulnerability of remnant populations due to their small size.

4. Dhole

Also known as the Asiatic wild dog, it is the only extant member of the genus Cuon. It is estimated that fewer than 2,500 mature individuals remain in the wild and the declining population trend is expected to continue. Main threats to the species include ongoing habitat loss, depletion of prey base, and possibly disease transfer from domestic and feral dogs

5. Pileated Gibbon

With approximately only 35,000 individuals left in the wild, gibbon populations are on sharp decline due to hunting and habitat fragmentation. They are famous for the incredible calls that resonate through the forest. They vocalize in defense of their territory; however hunters often use these calls to pinpoint their location and capture them.

6. Hair-nosed Otter

One of the rarest otter species in the world, the hairy-nosed otter is 87-135cm long and weighs 5-6kg. The hairy-nosed otter is the least known of the Asian otters, and is also the most difficult to identify in the field. Like most Otters, the hair is fine and velvety in texture and the coat is dark brown above, creamy-white below. Destruction of habitat, particularly peat swamp forests due to changing land use patterns, fire, and depletion of its prey base threaten the hairy-nosed otter. This otter is also particularly susceptible to pollution, both from food and water.

7. Tiger

Listed as Endangered, there are as few as 3,200 tigers left in the world. Tigers have lost 93% of their historic range. Their habitat has been destroyed, degraded and fragmented by human activities, including the clearing of forests for agriculture and timber trade and development activities such as the building of road networks. Every part of the tiger—from whisker to tail—is traded in illegal wildlife markets. Poaching is the most immediate threat to wild tigers.

8. Green Peafowl

The Green Peafowl is Endangered. It is hunted for its feathers and also its meat. Chicks and eggs are collected for the pet trade and peafowl are poisoned because they eat crops. The spread of human settlements also threatens the survival of this beautiful bird.

This year for Endangered Species Day, consider sponsoring an endangered animal or making a donation to help save these incredible animals from being lost forever. Learn more at Wildlife Alliance.