R. J. Timmins and Ou Ratanak
Phnom Penh, 2001
[Format: CD-ROM]
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
[ Note: Thanks to Robert Timmins for providing a copy of this report for Primate-Science. He has edited it for
this P-S announcement. All his additions to the original executive summary are bracketed. He has also kindly
highlighted for us the primate species surveyed. wprc/lj]
This report presents a summary of the findings of a Tiger conservation study (Timmins and Ou [Ratanak], 2001).
The project assessed the Tiger conservation potential of Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary (WS) and other areas of
Mondulkiri Province [Cambodia] and 3000 square kilometers of contiguous habitat in Vietnam. It also assessed [the
conservation significance of] other plant and animal factors of conservation importance within the same area.
[The survey concentrated on assessing status and distribution of a suite of 'target' species, these were: Tigers,
Tiger prey species, other large carnivores, wild cattle (Bos and Bubalus spp.), large deer (Cervus and Axis spp.),
Asian Elephants (Elephas maximus), Douc Langurs (Pygathrix nemaeus), gibbons (Hylobates [Nomascus]), large
waterbirds, Green Peafowl (Pavo muticus) and vultures.] The field survey focused on the northeastern portions of
Phnom Prich WS and Mondulkiri Province. The study area included the Lomphat WS and the Samling and Kingwood
logging concessions. The field survey took place between 8 May and 14 June, 200[this should read '1999'].
Geography:
Elevations in Mondulkiri range from approximately 1080 meters on the Mondulkiri Plateau in the central-eastern
portion to gently undulating lowlands from 50 to 350 meters in the west, north and south. The largest promontories
(or Phnoms) [in the lowlands] such as Kus, Rohav, Gunrlong, Gunshall, Yangpo, Maroyt and Lunggchung are no higher
than 450 meters.
Rivers originating on the Mondulkiri Plateau are largely permanent, but rivers originating in the lowlands are
generally seasonal. Seasonal and permanent pools of a variety of sizes occur throughout the area. Several areas,
such as those between the O Te and O Krieng rivers, the area between the O Krieng and the northern edge of the
central-eastern study area, and the Prey Khieu area have few permanent water sources.
The forests of the study area are part of one of the largest remaining relatively undisturbed landscapes in
Southeast Asia. This landscape consists of a mosaic of closed canopy Semi-Evergreen Forest (SEF), Nearly Deciduous
Formations of Semi-Evergreen Forest (NDF - a distinctive, highly deciduous sub-type of SEF) and Deciduous
Dipterocarp Forest (DDF). DDF is often an open canopy formation and sometimes occurs as a savanna type formation.
Pools (ponds), permanent streams and rivers, and seasonally wet meadows are three habitat features within this
mosaic that have a tremendous bearing on resident wildlife communities.
Use of the Area by People:
Mondulkiri Province is one of the most remote and least developed provinces in Cambodia. Ground transportation is
poor except for two major cart trails that transverse the lowlands from east to west: one from Memong and the other
from Koh Nhek. The population density of Mondulkiri Province is relatively low. However, a much larger population
with a higher density exists in the part of Vietnam that borders Mondulkiri, as well as the adjacent Kratie
Province in Cambodia. People in Mondulkiri villages typically plant swidden and/or paddy fields and hunt and gather
for subsistence and cash income.
Biodiversity Conservation Significance of the Area:
This survey and many others have confirmed the considerable national and global biodiversity conservation importance
of the study area. Few, if any other conservation areas in mainland Southeast Asia can boast such a large and almost
intact assemblage of large mammals. The forests and wetlands of the study area are of sufficient size and quality
to sustain long-term conservation of large mammal communities.
Rhinoceroses and Asian Tapir (if this species ever did occur here) are perhaps the only species that have been lost
out of the assemblage of large mammals historically found in the area. Three other species, Hog Deer [Axis porcinus],
Wild Water Buffalo [Bubalus arnee] and Kouprey [Bos sauveli] may still be present or only recently disappeared, while
Tigers and Eld's Deer [Cervus eldii] are probably close to disappearing. Elephants [Elephas maximus] in the area
form one of only a few relatively numerous populations within Cambodia. Banteng [Bos javanicus] numbers in the study
area are comparable if not larger than any other population globally. Gaur [Bos gaurus] and Sambar [Cervus unicolor]
are also relatively numerous compared to the rest of Indochina. Due to hunting, [all of the above mentioned species
as well as] Leopard [Panthera pardus] and Dhole [Cuon alpinus] populations appear to be substantially decreasing. The
area is also important for a sub-species of Douc Langur [Pygathrix nemaeus nigripes].
The area also hosts important large waterbird populations, all of which have largely disappeared from the majority
of Southeast Asia, including populations of Giant Ibis [Pseudibis gigantea], Sarus Crane [Grus antigone],
White-shouldered Ibis [Pseudibis davisoni] and Lesser Adjutant [Leptoptilos javanicus]. The most numerous known
Southeast Asian populations of the three resident vulture species are now restricted to the lowland mosaic forests of
northern Cambodia and adjacent Laos [and Vietnam]. The most numerous records of Green Peafowl [Pavo muticus] in
recent years come from the study area and adjacent areas in Vietnam. Within this same area, the Mekong River and its
Tonle San, Srepok and Kong tributaries support the most intact riverine bird assemblage known in mainland Southeast
Asia, excluding Myanmar. Populations of several of these species have been decimated throughout much of Southeast
Asia.
The study area may also be home to three discrete populations of Siamese Crocodile [Crocodylus siamensis]. This
species is classified as Globally Threatened - Critically Endangered.
Much of the flora is also likely to be of conservation significance, including the extensive and structurally rich
areas of NDF. A Corypha palm species appears to be a more common element in the study area than in other NDF areas
of northeastern Cambodia and Laos. Most structural types and specific vegetation elements of DDF found in other areas
of Indochina were observed in the survey area. The study area is equal to or larger in size than all other remaining
tracts of lowland mosaic forests in Indochina. The combined area of lowland mosaic forest covering northern
Cambodia and adjacent areas in Laos and Vietnam is exceptional in size, comparable within Southeast Asia only to the
lowland forests of the Sundas and possibly Myanmar.
The area's large size, habitat integrity, remoteness, and the low number of human inhabitants mean long-term
biodiversity conservation is possible. If threats are reduced, populations of species that are currently threatened
can probably in almost all cases recover and be maintained indefinitely. The study area and other parts of the lowland
mosaic forests in Cambodia have great potential for attracting large numbers of tourists if wildlife populations are
allowed to recover. Such tourism could be a great help in the economic development of the area.
Threats:
Threats to the area are extensive, persistent and diverse. Commercial-scale hunting of large mammals by Cambodian
and Vietnamese hunters is a significant problem. Subsistence hunting of smaller species with little market value
is not yet a problem as it is in Laos and central and northern Vietnam, but could become an issue if substantial
[human] in-migration occurs.
[The area appears to have been depopulated predominantly as a result of armed turmoil resulting from the American-
Indochinese War and subsequently the Khmer Rouge regime. The area is now once again largely safe.] Planned and
unplanned [human] migration into the area is a significant threat to the integrity of the river valleys, areas with
high densities of other types of water sources, and seasonal wet meadows. [Judging by human demography in other areas
of Indochina, it seems very likely that such migration to repopulate the area will occur unless measures are taken.]
As these areas are integral to the conservation importance of all of the study area, their loss or degradation will
have very far-reaching consequences. [In fact remaining uninhabited sections of the study area would be unlikely to
support viable populations of the large mammals, several bird species, and many riverine species.] and If
transportation systems [i.e. roads] to and within the area are developed without sufficient attention to biodiversity
and environmental concerns, this threat will be magnified. Furthermore, habitats will become increasingly fragmented
and the impact of wildlife trade will be increased.
Logging appears to be only a minor threat in the short-term as commercial [tree] species occur at low densities. If
accessibility to the area is improved, however, economic incentives for logging may grow, particularly by small,
unlicensed operations.
Fire plays a significant role in habitat formation and maintenance in the area. However, some development activities
and conservation management have the potential to alter the normal pattern and range of fire frequency, intensity,
and extent and thus have large impacts on the structure and composition of biological communities.
Recommendations:
Recommended core areas for biodiversity conservation, in approximate order of their biological conservation value
are:
I. Upper Tonle Srepok, approximately west of O Chbar, both north and south of the river, to the Vietnamese border.
II. O Te lowlands and adjoining O Preah, O Phlah, O Trayang and O Phleng plains, as well as Phnom Kus and Phnom Rohav.
About one quarter of this area is in Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary, half in the Samling Logging Concession and another
quarter outside both areas.
III.Western Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary and other parts of the middle and lower Tonle Srepok.
IV. Upper O Krieng Valley. This area is located between Lomphat and Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuaries.
There also are a number of peripheral forest tracts that are not individually sufficient to conserve biodiversity, but can
be incorporated with core areas to enhance overall value. These are, also in rough priority order:
V. Lowland SEF and perhaps Evergreen Forest (EF) mainly in Oreang, Keo Sema and Snoul Districts. This area, covered by
Snoul Wildlife Sanctuary and the Samling Logging Concession, retains connectivity to both Area II and to SEF/EF forests
on the slopes of the Mondulkiri Plateau and adjacent areas of Vietnam.
VI. Laoka Hills and Phum Dei Ei (Deshayes) lowlands. This area is between Area I and the central Phnom Prich Wildlife
Sanctuary (see VII).
VII. Central Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary and adjacent western areas.
VIII.Prey Khieu area. The Kingwood Logging Concession covers most of this area.
IX. Prek Sreandeng lowlands.
Parts of these suggested core areas and peripheral forest tracts are not included in protected areas like Phnom Prich or
Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuaries. In some cases, new protected areas of various types and jurisdictions might be declared. In
other instances, conservation organizations will have to develop better ways of protecting the biodiversity importance of
significant areas, using methods such as conservation concessions and sustainable/certified logging.
There is not an exact correspondence between the most important areas for the long-term survival of individual species of
concern (like Tigers, wild cattle and Elephants) and the core and peripheral forest tracts recommended for overall
biodiversity conservation. Therefore, care and attention should be given as to where and how species-specific conservation
initiatives are undertaken.
Other critical recommendations based on the survey are:
* Large mammals require the integrity of habitats over large areas. Short-term management of large mammals can focus on
securing short-term viable populations in small core areas while simultaneously managing the contiguous larger areas of
habitat for long-term connectivity.
* Hunting must be dealt with quickly and effectively, including the initiation of measures to prevent poaching from
Vietnamese nationals. Large mammals with a high market value require active and resourceful guarding.
* Wildlife trade must be countered at the national, regional and international levels.
* In-migration of people into the most important and critical areas should be prevented. New village development along rivers
in the core areas should also be prevented and roads should be diverted away from these areas.
* The extension of Yok Don National Park in Vietnam should be supported.
* The effects of fire and its optimal use in maintaining a conservation landscape should be examined.
* Local and international awareness of the importance and plight of this landscape and its habitats and species needs to be
raised.
* Realistic monitoring programs for large mammals, large waterbirds, Green Peafowl and other potential indicator species
should be established, but only when significant advances have been made in the effectiveness of protection activities for
[these and other] quarry species.
* Assessment of both the timber resources, particularly outside logging concessions, and the threats of logging to tree
species and communities, should be implemented.
* Collaborate with logging companies to protect biodiversity within concessions.
* Investigate the extent and impact of other non-wildlife resource harvests and uses.
Primate records from the survey. Taken from: Annex 15 Key Species accounts:
Pig-tailed Macaque Macaca nemestrina GT-VU (as M. leonina), Ind-P3
Survey records: the only record during the survey was of a male seen on the 20 May in SEF--NDF mosaic at the Phnom Gunshall
site. Other animals may have been present and a group of Douc Langurs were in the same area.
It was very surprising that more were not found during the survey, as this species in Laos appears to favour lowland and
flatland areas, occurring in open forest types. The lack of SEF from several of the survey sites, perhaps is a significant
factor in the lack of records. But, the paucity of records in the SEF--NDF of the northern Laoka Hills and Phnom Gunshall
areas is inexplicable. Le Xuan Canh et al. (1997) similarly had few records, even in areas with SEF-NDF mosaic
(J. W. Duckworth pers comm. 2001). The pattern follows that of gibbons and Black Giant Squirrels and is thus, presumably a
relatively natural one. Hunting is very probably the most common cause behind the declines in these species in other areas
of Indochina. But, the commonness of two langur species suggests the pattern is a natural one, and that hunting induced
declines is not a factor here.
Long-tailed Macaque Macaca fasicularis GNT, Ind-P3
This species in other areas appears to occupy similar habitats to Silvered Langur, thus its absence during the survey was
surprising. Le Xuan Canh et al. (1997), Timmins and Men Soriyun (1999), Long et al. (2000 b) and Walston et al. (2001)
all recorded the species.
Silvered Langur Semnopithecus cristatus DD (as Trachypithecus villosus), ARL, Ind-P3/Ind
Survey records: in the northern Laoka Hills groups were seen as follows two almost certainly different groups on the 11
May within one km NE of SSL # 13 and north of SSL # 18 (at least four animals), and one group on the 12 May (and presumably
different from those on the 11 May) at c. SSL # 330 (at least 16 animals) (all in SEF--NDF mosaic). Two or more animals
were seen south of the Phnom Gunshall site at SSL # 32 on the 14 May (in a thin strip of gully NDF). At the O Ompher site
a group of perhaps 30 or more animals was seen close to SSL # 114 on the 24 May (in NDF close to a seasonal stream).. On
the 31 May at the O Kriengmeenyouee site a group of at least seven animals was seen close to SSL # 172 (in gallery NDF).
At the O Romiet site on the 11 June two or more animals were seen between SSL #287 and 288 (in NDF).
This species was clearly the commonest and best distributed of the diurnal primates found during the survey. Findings
correspond with those from elsewhere, that the species is characteristically lowland and flatland and occurs in open
forest types, often in association with streams and rivers. The confiding nature, of all groups encountered, to human
approach suggests that hunting is not currently occurring at high levels.
Douc Langur Pygathrix nemaeus GT-EN, Ind-P1
Survey records: records only came from the Phnom Gunshall and northern Laoka Hills sites, and all were from SEF--NDF
mosaic. In the northern Laoka Hills groups were seen as follows one group on the 11 May within one km NE of SSL # 13
(at least seven animals), two almost certainly different groups on the 12 May (and presumably different from those on
the 11 May) between SSL # 20 and SSL # 21 (at least 12 animals) and SSL # 330 (at least five animals), and one group
of at least five on the 13 May at close to SSL # 330 (at least five animals; probably the same as one of the groups
on the 12 May). At the Phnom Gunshall site groups were seen on the 17 and 20 May close to SSL # 65 (at least ten
animals) and between SSL # 76 and SSL # 81 (seemingly two family units of c. nine individuals) respectively.
The group on the 11 May, and the second group on the 12 May were very close if not 'mixed' with Silvered Langurs, and
on the 20 May a Pig-tailed Macaque was seen very close by. All animals seen clearly (two or more from each group seen)
showed strong characteristics of the 'black-shanked' race P. n. nigripes.. However, some animals had some grizzling on
the lower shank of the legs and a colour towards very dark brown or grey, others however appeared to be relatively
uniform black. But, the significance of this is as yet unknown.
The finding of Douc Langurs so numerously in SEF--NDF mosaic was surprising, as the species is largely absent or very
scarce in apparently equivalent habitats in Laos. However, the race present in Laos is the 'red-shanked' Douc Langur
P. n. nemaeus which could well be ecologically different. Furthermore, hunting pressure in such equivalent habitats
in Laos is certainly high in many areas. The species is certainly scarcer in NDF, but may be present (although none
was found in such habitat during the survey), as Timmins and Men Soriyun (1999) recorded the species once in riverine
NDF with 'alatus'-like dipterocarps, and Long et al. (2000 b) recorded the species in the Phnom Maroyt and O Romiet
areas, where little if any SEF occurs.
The black-shanked race may constitute a valid species (Brandon-Jones 1984, Roos and Nadler in press). This form is
known from a relatively restricted range in southern Vietnam, mainly centred on the Southern Annamites. Data on its
Vietnamese status are few, but habitat fragmentation there, along with high hunting pressure in some areas, suggests
little cause for optimism. Walston et al. (2001) and Long et al. (2000 b) both recorded the species frequently in or
adjacent to the study area, suggesting that in conjunction with the current findings and the extent of habitat remaining
the Cambodian population is very significant for the taxon's conservation.
[İYellow-cheeked Crested Gibbon Hylobates gabriellae GT-VU, Ind-P2
Survey records: gibbons were only heard once during the survey, on the 13 May from SSL # 19 at the northern Laoka
Hills site. No gibbons were seen.
Based on current knowledge of distribution, the species present is most likely to be Yellow-cheeked Crested Gibbon
Hylobates gabriellae, although this cannot be confirmed on the survey findings or on the basis of other previously
published primary data.
It was surprising that no more were heard from SEF--NDF mosaic at the first two sites in the western sector, as such
habitat is used by the same or closely related taxon elsewhere in Indochina, although Timmins and Men Soriyun (1999)
had similar results. However, it was not surprising that no gibbons were recorded in areas where SEF was scarce or
absent. Walston et al. (2001) found gibbons presumably of the same taxon widespread and relatively numerous in the
more extensive SEF/EF forests bordering the study area in the southeast. The study area has only limited significance
for the taxon present.
AVAILABLE FROM:
WWF Indochina Programme Office
53 Tran Phu Street, Ba Dinh District
I.P.O. Box 151
Hanoi, Vietnam
Tel: + 84 4 733.8387
Fax: +84 4 733.8388
E-mail: hanoi@wwfvn.org.vn
WWF Cambodia Conservation Program
#28 Street 9
Tonle Bassac
Phnom Penh
Cambodia
Tel: + 855 23 218 034
Fax: +855 23 211 909
E-mail: wwfcam@bigpond.com.kh
URL: http://www.primate.wisc.edu/pin/review/importance.html
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