AKP Phnom Penh-Seven red-headed vultures and 2 white-rumped vultures have been discovered in the Srepok Wildlife Sanctuary in Mondulkiri province, the Provincial Environment Department said.

This is the first time that researchers from the department with the support of WWF have spotted white-rumped vultures after a two-year absence, the same source said, adding that they had previously seen only red-headed vultures there.

A nationwide census, conducted in 2021 at four vulture restaurants – Siem Pang Wildlife Sanctuary of Stung Treng, Chheb Wildlife Sanctuary of Preah Vihear, Sambo Wildlife Sanctuary of Kratie, and Srepok Wildlife Sanctuary of Mondulkiri – showed that Cambodia had 121 vultures, including 20 Red-headed vultures, 66 White-rumped vultures, and 35 Slender-billed vultures.

Cambodia vulture censuses are undertaken on March 10, June 10, June 20, September 20, and December 20 each year.

All vulture species in the Kingdom are protected under the Cambodian law. The Royal Government has banned the veterinary sale and use of diclofenac (whilst harmless to cattle and other livestock, results in death of vultures if they feed on a carcass of an animal previously treated with this drug) in the country in order to safeguard the remaining Cambodian vulture population.

Source: Agency Kampuchea Press