The Project

My name is Sharon and I'm preparing to begin a gibbon survey in partnership with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) in the Seima Protected Forest, Cambodia. This forest is home to over 556 species of fauna including 4 critically endangered water bird species, Asian elephants, tigers (though they are feared extinct from this area since 2007) and the world's largest surviving populations of black-shanked duocs and yellow-cheeked gibbons. It is an area of incalculable natural value. In  2000, WCS took over protection of the forest and discovered a new population of a primate that had been feared close to extinction: the southern yellow-cheeked gibbon. Presumed the world's largest remaining population of this endangered species, these gibbons are now in need of protection from the illegal logging and poaching that have begun within the forest. Therefore, a survey is required in order to gain as much information as we can about this population. The results of the survey will provide crucial support for the protection of this entire ecosystem as well as for the further development of an eco-tourism operation run by the local village of Andong Kralong. Through scientific study and community-led conservation, we hope that this priceless biodiversity hotspot can remain a protected haven.  

One of the last photos captured of tiger presence in the Seima Forest

A mated pair of southern yellow-cheeked gibbons

What We Need 

The Wildlife Conservation Society has graciously offered funding for 30% of this project, which is fantastic! However, that leaves quite a bit still in need of funds. These are primarily:

1. Transportation to and from the field site 
2. Crucial equipment for the survey (compasses, GPS units, recording equipment etc.)
3. Salaries for Cambodian field assistants
4. Camping gear for field data collection
5. Food/supplies to be provided to members of the village of Andong Kralong who participate in the survey.

 Any excess funds raised will be used to donate much needed supplies and equipment to WCS Cambodian operations. 

The village of Andong Kralong

A planning meeting

The Impact

This is such an exciting project because it will have an incredibly far-reaching impact. In order to complete this survey as efficiently as possible, WCS has decided to test a new analytical process that will be less invasive and more accurate; providing census data using only the gibbons' songs (which can be heard in the video above!). Should the technique prove successful in this project, it will be able to be applied at field sites all over the world for a wide range of species!

Also, this survey is being performed with the help of the local village of Andong Kralong in order to support an eco-tourism project run out of the village. This type of community-led conservation is essential to long term conservation success as it not only gives residents ownership of this solution but also provides much needed local income. With this added income, the need for poaching and illegal logging drops drastically.  

This project is a win-win-win for all involved and would greatly benefit from your support! 

Measuring the DBH of trees in Seima Forest

THANK YOU!