When one man’s catch in Steung Treng is the largest freshwater fish ever netted in the world, we couldn’t help but wonder what other incredible creatures we've yet to discover in Cambodia. Coming off this record-breaking news, Team Raintree reveals unique but lesser-known species in the Kingdom of Wonder.
For some it is a true discovery that a Giant Ibis is not just a commercial bus that runs from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, but also Cambodia’s national bird. This fun fact made us curious to know more about the country’s obscure wildlife. As it turns out, there’s a lot to celebrate as the country is home to some of the most unique yet endangered animals that even the most advanced biologists have not fully understood. Unsurprisingly, conversations about the country’s rich biodiversity often take a backseat being more renowned for its archaeological treasures. So to commemorate the incredible news of Bormey the stingray - the largest freshwater fish ever caught in the world - Team Raintree spotlights five of the rarest animals to observe in the wild that you may not know live in Cambodia. From birds, to fish, to adorable wildcats, read on to find out what makes them special and where to find them.
Photo courtesy of Wildlife Conservation Society Cambodia and Krolspascal
Giant Ibis (ត្រយងយក្ស)
Twice the size of its typical peers, the giant ibis is the largest ibis in the world. These wading birds are commonly found in northern Cambodia in provinces like Preah Vihear and Mondulkiri. In Khmer folktales, they are remembered fondly as creatures that represent the tranquillity of country life. More often spotted flying solo or in pairs versus in groups, this solitary bird is considered to be the most critically endangered bird in the world by the IUCN, a global authority on the status of the natural world and the measures needed to safeguard it. In fact, the carnivorous birds actually went MIA for over 50 years before being rediscovered by the Wildlife Conservation Society in 1993. To promote conservation efforts, the giant ibis was declared the country's national bird in 2005 by the Ministry of Agriculture, Royal Government of Cambodia. Currently, the Wildlife Conservation Society is working closely with local communities to protect and restore populations of birds through ecotourism.
Photo courtesy of Sam Veasna Conservation Tours and Cambodia Bird Guide Association.
Quick facts on the Giant Ibis
Scientific name: Thaumatibis gigantea
Khmer name: ត្រយងយក្ស ឬ ឪលើក
Status: Critically endangered
Habitat: Lowlands or paddy fields in Preah Vihear, Siem Reap and Mondulkiri provinces.
Insider tip: If you’re spending the day driving to Preah Vihear, don’t forget to budget an extra half day checking out these wading birds with Sam Veasna Conservation Tours.
Smooth-Coated Otters (ភេខ្លួនរលោង)
Cambodia is lucky to be home to not one but three different types of otters: hairy-nosed, smooth-coated, and Asian small-clawed. Each species can be seen in different parts of the country, but trekking around the Angkor Thom complex and you might be surprised to encounter the smooth-coated siblings. Fast and forever frolicking with their friends, these otters are hardly ever seen for longer than a minute in one location. When they do make a brief appearance, they’re hard to miss with their high-pitched squeaks as they communicate with their peers. One might be tempted to adopt one of these adorable critters as a pet, but their signature ‘eau de otter’ fragrance from their fishy diet will make you think twice. In addition to Angkor Thom, these cute creatures can also be found at Botum Sakor National Park.
Photo courtesy of Yathin S Krishnappa and Supanut Arunoprayote
Quick facts on the Smooth-Coated Otter
Scientific name: Lutrogale perspicillata
Khmer name: ភេខ្លួនរលោង
Status: Vulnerable
Habitat: In and around freshwater bodies in Siem Reap and Koh Kong.
Insider tip: They’re easily startled, so stillness is key when observing them for a longer period of time. To get extra close, kayak tours with guides are available in Koh Kong habitats.
Clouded Leopards (ខ្លាពពក)
Funnily enough, clouded leopards are technically not leopards. Classified as wild cats, these felines are notorious for being difficult to spot as they are both solitary and nocturnal. Their fashionable fur prints are both the reason for their cloud-inspired name and population decline, as they are targets of illegal poaching. With fewer than 10,000 left around the world, these elusive cats may soon be extinct if preservation efforts from both institutions and indigenous communities aren’t increased. You’re more likely to see these rare creatures on TV than trekking in the deep jungle of the Cardamom Rainforest. If you do make an excursion, heads up - these shy cats are more often hiding in the tree shrubs than hunting on the ground.
Photo courtesy of Wildlife Alliance and Shutterstock
Quick facts on the Clouded Leopard
Scientific name: Neofelis nebulosa
Khmer name: ខ្លាពពក
Status: Vulnerable
Habitat: Tropical rainforest of the Cardamom mountains
Insider tip: As they’re night owls like some of Team Raintree, the best time to spot these felines is in the late afternoon if not the evening. If you’re visiting Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre, there is a Behind the Scenes experience where you are given an exclusive tour to meet and greet the leopards up close.
Mekong Giant Catfish (ត្រីរាជ)
The enormous catfish is native to the Mekong River and is one of the largest freshwater fishes in the world. Unsurprisingly, the ‘cat’ in catfish comes from the species’ signature long whiskers, but the Mekong variety ones are famous for having a near-total lack of whiskers. As babies, they feed on zooplankton and are known to be cannibalistic, but they become herbivores after turning 1 year old. Its extraordinary size of up to 300kg has made it one of the flagship species in the river, and hence often in the spotlight of conservation efforts. The rarity of the fish makes it a bit of a celebrity in the fishing world, with it making an appearance in major TV shows such as River Monster and Monster Fish. People are less likely to encounter them by chance given that they live 10 metres deep in the water. However, having close relationships with local fishermen can go a long way to get you the front row ticket to see them in person when one is caught and in the process of being tagged before releasing back to the water. It’s currently illegal to capture them in Cambodia. If you’re as impatient or curious as we are, check out this episode on National Geographic >> HERE.
Quick facts on the Mekong Giant Catfish
Scientific name: Pangasianodon gigas
Khmer name: ត្រីរាជ
Status: Critically Endangered
Habitat: 10 meters deep in the freshwater of Mekong and on TV
Insider tip: Last major sighting exceeding 100 kg in Cambodia was in 2015.
Irrawaddy ‘Pink’ Dolphins (ផ្សោត)
First of all, they’re not actually pink - at least not for most of their lives. Otherwise known as Irrawaddy dolphins, these creatures are born grey and turn pink as they age. It is believed that this decolourisation is a result of injured scar tissue, although more studies need to be done to confirm this mystery. Dolphins are found in many parts of the world, but those in Cambodia call the Mekong River home as they reside upstream from Kratie to Stung Treng. There are fewer than 100 individuals left and with another taking its last breath earlier this year, they’re classified as critically endangered. As top predators, their extinction could cause a significant imbalance in the ecosystem, which is why projects such as the Cambodian Mekong Dolphin Conservation play an important role in conserving these precious creatures.
Quick facts on the Irrawaddy Dolphin
Scientific name: Orcaella brevirostris
Khmer name: ផ្សោត
Status: Critically endangered
Habitat: Anlong Kampi village in Kratie and Steung Treng provinces
Insider tip: Best time to go dolphin-watching is during dry season between October and April. Go as early as possible in the day to avoid river traffic and bring binoculars to take a closer look at their natural behaviours in the water.
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When researching Team Raintree found it pretty amazing just how many species our country is home to. As these animals are fast disappearing, we hope they are celebrated while we still have a chance to protect them. Taking conversations about wildlife from classrooms to our everyday lives is Team Raintree’s way of getting everyone more curious about our natural habitats and what can be done to repopulate these animals. If you learnt anything new from our blog, don’t be shy to impress everyone at your next dinner party. Or for the more adventurous who want to see these creatures up close, now might be the perfect time to start planning a trip to watch Irrawaddy dolphins flipping in the water this coming October. Bon voyage!