Camera Traps Capture Rare Wildlife in Cambodia’s Virachey National Park

PHNOM PENH, 12 February 2026 (KPT) – A year-long camera-trap survey has revealed dozens of rare and threatened species in Virachey National Park, underscoring the ecological importance of one of Cambodia’s largest protected areas.

Conducted throughout 2025 by Fauna & Flora in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, the survey documented 42 species – including 32 mammals, nine birds and one invertebrate.

Two are listed as Critically Endangered, five as Endangered and 13 as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

Among the highlights was footage of a herd of Asian elephants, which conservationists say reflects the park’s ecological integrity and its role as a key wildlife habitat.

Other species recorded included the dhole, clouded leopard, Asian golden cat, marbled cat, Bengal slow loris, Sunda pangolin, green peafowl, great hornbill and douc langur.

Virachey National Park spans Cambodia’s north-eastern border with Laos and Vietnam, forming part of a wider forest landscape.

Khvay Atiya, undersecretary of state and spokesperson for the Ministry of Environment, described the park as “a treasure of Cambodia,” adding that the findings would guide efforts to protect forests and wildlife while supporting local communities.

Vanny Lou, terrestrial programme manager for Fauna & Flora in Cambodia, said the survey provided new insights into the behaviour and habitats of some of the park’s rarest species.

Organisers said the project aimed to strengthen conservation in what they call a biodiversity hotspot, while recognising the role of Indigenous Peoples and local communities.

The survey was supported by the UK government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs through the Biodiverse Landscapes Fund.