Phnom Samkos Wildlife Sanctuary

Phnom Samkos Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary in western Cambodia, bordering Thailand. The sanctuary was established in 1994 and covers 3,307.56 km2 (1,277.06 sq mi).[1] It is also designated as an Important Bird Area (IBA).[2]

Phnom Samkos Wildlife Sanctuary
Khmer: ដែនជម្រកសត្វព្រៃភ្នំសំកុស
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)[1]
LocationPrimarily Pursat Province, Cambodia
Nearest cityPursat
Coordinates12°16′17″N 102°58′36″E
Area3,307.56 km2 (1,277.06 sq mi)[1]
Established1994
Governing bodyMinistry of Environment

Phnom Samkos Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Cardamom Mountains and the area comprise mostly forested mountains, but with many different habitats and forest-types, and the landscape is dominated by three discrete peaks: Phnom Samkos (1,717 m (5,633 ft) and Cambodia's second highest peak), Phnom Khmaoch (1,496 m (4,908 ft)), and Phnom Tumpor (1,250 m (4,100 ft)).

History

Historically, the sanctuary area has been inhabited by ethnic Por (or Pear), the namesake of the broader term Pearic people. In Cambodia, ethnic groups living in the highlands of the country are all referred to as Khmer Loeu.[3][4]

Flora and fauna

The sanctuary is notable for its large diversity of habitats, including several types of forests. The interior of the sanctuary is largely unexplored by scientists, but small-scale surveys suggests that many rare, unique and even endemic species are present. The rich diversity of primates and monkeys are notable.[5][6]

Threats

The sanctuary has been under threat from illegal logging,[7] including specific targeting of Cinnamomum parthenoxylon trees for use in the illegal drug market.[8] Another threat is illegal hunting of wildlife.[9]

See also

References
  1. World Database on Protected Areas (2018). "Phnom Samkos Wildlife Sanctuary". Protected Planet, United Nations Environment World Conservation Monitoring Centre. Archived from the original on 26 December 2018. Retrieved 26 Dec 2018.
  2. BirdLife International (2009). "Important Bird Areas factsheet: Phnom Samkos, Cambodia". Archived from the original on 2018-12-26. Retrieved 2018-12-26.
  3. "The Survival of Cambodia's Ethnic Minorities". www.culturalsurvival.org. Archived from the original on 2019-06-08. Retrieved 2019-12-09.
  4. "Ethnic minorities and indigenous people". Archived from the original on 2017-07-19. Retrieved 2019-12-09.
  5. "Abundance of primates reveals Samkos Wildlife Sanctuary, Cardamom Mountains, Cambodia as a priority area for conservation".
  6. "New Wolf Snake Species Discovered in Cambodia | Biology | Sci-News.com". Breaking Science News | Sci-News.com. Archived from the original on 2017-05-31. Retrieved 2019-12-09.
  7. "Wood Emperor arrested in Cambodia | Fauna & Flora International". www.fauna-flora.org. Archived from the original on 2017-05-31. Retrieved 2019-12-09.
  8. "Huge seizure of 'ecstasy oil' in Cardamom Mountains | Fauna & Flora International". www.fauna-flora.org. Archived from the original on 2017-05-30. Retrieved 2019-12-09.
  9. "Phnom Samkos Wildlife Sanctuary" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2012-12-24. Retrieved 2019-12-09.

External
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