Giant Ibis

The Northern Plains and Phnom Penh, Cambodia

The giant ibis, Cambodia's national bird, faces rapid habitat loss as a result of deforestation and land-use change, and was believed to be extinct for almost 50 years.  Growing human populations mean that the pressure on available land resources is increasing, leading to widespread forest clearance in key conservation areas. As land is one of the few easily available forms of wealth, community members have little incentive not to engage in conservation. Successful wildlife and habitat conservation therefore depends on their engagement.