Cambodia & Nature: WWF raises concern over declining muntjac population

WWF Cambodia has expressed its concern at the drastic decline in the population of the northern red muntjac (Muntiacus vaginalis), which has fallen by over 60% in just six years in the Phnom Prich wildlife sanctuary in Mondolkiri province.

Northern red muntjac (Muntiacus vaginalis)

The organization attributes this decline mainly to the use of snares and illegal wildlife trade. Snares now threaten 80% of Southeast Asia's mammal species. This crisis, fuelled by illegal wildlife trade and growing demand for wild meat, is putting considerable pressure on ungulate populations such as the kingdom's muntjacs.

“Widespread hunting and snaring are endangering the northern red muntjac, leading to a 64% drop in its population density in Cambodia's Phnom Prich Nature Reserve in just six years,” WWF Cambodia said on social networks.

Two “Zero Snaring” campaigns have already been carried out in Mondulkiri to raise public awareness of wildlife issues. In addition, enforcement of the Environment and Natural Resources Law, implemented in June 2024, is helping to protect wildlife, with laws fully enforced against offenders. However, despite the efforts of forest rangers, poaching persists, albeit less frequently than before.

The Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary is one of Mondulkiri province's protected areas. It covers more than a million hectares and includes the Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary, Srepok Wildlife Sanctuary, Nam Lyr Mountain and Lumphat Wildlife Sanctuary.

WWF Cambodia also highlighted the declining populations of other species, including the Bengal florican, banteng and gaur.