Ang Trapaing Thmor

Ang Trapaing Thmor is a 129.06 km2 (49.83 sq mi) protected forest in northwestern Cambodia that was established in 1999.[1] The reserve was set aside to protect the rare eastern sarus crane (Grus antigone sharpii). Prior to the discovery of the crane at Trapaing Thmor, there were thought to be fewer than 1,000 of the birds left alive in the world.[2]

Ang Trapaing Thmor
IUCN category III (natural monument or feature)[1]
LocationBanteay Meanchey Province, Cambodia
Nearest citySisophon
Coordinates13.86876567°N 103.30130525°E / 13.86876567; 103.30130525
Area129.06 km2 (49.83 sq mi)[1]
EstablishedJanuary 1999
Governing bodyCambodian Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries / Forest Administration

Location and access

The crane sanctuary is located in north western Cambodia, not far from the border with Thailand. The entire 10,000 hectares of the protected area is contained within Phnom Srok District of Banteay Meanchey Province. Phnom Srok district shares a border with Siem Reap and Oddar Meanchey Provinces. Reading from the north clockwise, Phnom Srok borders with Banteay Ampil and Chong Kal districts of Oddar Meanchey province to the north. The eastern border of the district is shared with Srei Snam and Kralanh districts of Siem Reap province. To the south the district shares a border with Preah Net Preah District of Banteay Meanchey. The western border of the district joins with Svay Chek and Thmor Pouk districts also of Banteay Meanchey.[3] The sanctuary can be accessed by road from Sisophon (70 km) or Siem Reap (city) (90 km) via National Highway 6 initially then via smaller unsealed district roads to Ang Trapaing Thmor.[4]

History

The site of Ang Trapaing Thmor reservoir is also the site of an ancient Angkorian causeway.[5]

The sarus crane

Sarus crane

The sarus crane, Grus antigone is an all-year resident breeding bird in northern Pakistan and India (especially Central India and the Gangetic plains), Nepal, Southeast Asia and Queensland, Australia. It is a very large crane, averaging 156 cm (5 ft) in length, which is found in freshwater marshes and plains.[6]

Other fauna

Ang Trapaing Thmor sanctuary is also an important conservation area for a number of other globally threatened species. The long tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis), Eld's deer (Rucervus eldii), Asian box turtle (Cuora amboinensis), Malayan snail-eating turtle (Malayemys macrocephala), and the elongated tortoise (Indotestudo elongata) can be found within Ang Trapaing Thmor.[7]

References
  1. Protected Planet (2018). "Ang Trapeng Thmor Protected Forest". United Nations Environment World Conservation Monitoring Centre. Retrieved 26 Dec 2018.
  2. "Khmer Rouge dam refuge for endangered bird". ABC News. 25 May 1999. Retrieved 2009-02-22.
  3. "Banteay Meanchey Provincial Resources". Ministry of Commerce. Archived from the original on 5 January 2009. Retrieved 2009-02-15.
  4. Cambodia Road Network (Version 03-00 ed.). Ministry of Public Works and Transport. 2001.
  5. "Page 1 1 Commune Natural Resources Management Profile" (PDF). Wildlife Conservation Society Cambodia. 2007. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
  6. "Sarus Crane - BirdLife Species Factsheet (Grus Antigone)". BirdLife International. 2008. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
  7. "Directory of Important Bird Areas - KH001 Ang Trapaing Thmor" (PDF). BirdLife International. 2003. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 March 2009. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
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