Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Snared gaur calf freed from trap

Snared gaur calf freed from trap

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
A baby gaur was rescued by Wildlife Alliance on January 6 after being found trapped by a snare in Kampong Speu province’s Oral district. WILDLIFE ALLIANCE

Snared gaur calf freed from trap

A baby gaur was rescued by Wildlife Alliance on January 6 after being found trapped by a snare in Kampong Speu province’s Oral district.

The Ministry of Environment said that the calf had suffered injuries to its right front leg and had been sent to the Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre for treatment.

According to the ministry, on January 6 members of the local community contacted the Wildlife Alliance rescue team – who work with the environment ministry’s rangers – after they discovered the trapped calf. The rescue team travelled 130km from Phnom Penh to the scene, and freed the animal.

“If we had not responded as quickly as we did, the baby gaur would have died. The trap was found at the same place where an adult male gaur was found dead in a snare in June 2021,” said a ministry social media post.

Ministry spokesman Neth Pheaktra thanked the rescue team for their prompt intervention. He said Wildlife Alliance works closely with the ministry and local communities to protect wildlife and the natural resources of the Cardamom Mountain area.

He also noted the fact that local community members called the rescue team reflects that they have a deep understanding of the importance of biodiversity and wildlife conservation.

Pheaktra said the gaur is a rare and critically endangered species. Currently, there about 21,000 gaurs in the world, predominantly in India and South East Asia.

He urged the public to stop eating bushmeat, citing the need to dispel the false belief that it had health benefits. He also called on authorities to pursue legal action against wildlife crimes, with no exceptions.

MOST VIEWED

  • Bareknuckle champion wants Kun Khmer fighter

    Dave Leduc, who is the current openweight Lethwei boxing champion in Myanmar, has announced that he will travel to Cambodia this year to challenge SEA Games gold medallist Prum Samnang any time that is convenient, after their planned match later this month in Slovakia was

  • Five-year-old Hanuman dances his way into hearts of Cambodia

    A young talent from a new-established settlement has emerged, captivating the online world with his mesmerising performances of the traditional Cambodian monkey dance. Roeun Kakada is a five-year-old prodigy who has taken the social media sphere by storm with his exceptional dance skills and dedication

  • Fresh Covid warnings as Thai hospital fills

    A senior health official reminds the public to remain vigilant, as neighbouring countries experience an increase in Covid-19 cases, with the latest surge appearing to be a result of the Omicron XBB.1.5 sub-variant. Or Vandine, secretary of state and spokeswoman for the Ministry of Health,

  • PM declares ASEAN Para Games open

    The 12th ASEAN Para Games officially kicked off on the evening of June 3 at Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh, with a spectacular opening ceremony featuring fireworks and performances by some of the Kingdom’s most accomplished talents. Tens of thousands of sports fans

  • Honda shutters Siem Reap football club

    Japanese football legend Keisuke Honda, the owner of Siem Reap football club Soltilo Angkor FC, has been forced to shut the club down, after it failed to attract sponsorship for the upcoming season. Honda, the former manager of the Cambodia men's national football team, said

  • Waterway job still pending for Kampot tourism port’s opening

    The search is still on for a contractor to expand and deepen the Kampot International Tourism Port’s waterway and deliver additional enhancements allowing safe access for larger vessels, nearly a year after the main construction work on the 4.25ha site was completed on June 30, 2022.