The Royal Turtle, Cambodia’s National Reptile – per Royal Decree, is a critically endangered species. A turn of twenty of them was released into Sre Ambel River in Preah Sihanouk Province on Friday, April 26 by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the Fisheries Administration.
The turtles’ release was made possible by the new EU-funded Counter Wildlife Trafficking Project, which is discharged by the WCS in partnership with the Wildlife Alliance, the Cambodian Rural Development Team and the Fisheries Administration.
The WCS commented, “This is the third Royal Turtle release since 2015, making a total of 66 turtles. Each turtle released today is 12 years old and weighs between 10 and 15 kilograms. They were cared for at the Koh Kong Reptile Conservation Centre after they hatched on the [banks of] Sre Ambel River.”
Eng Cheasan, Director General of the Fisheries Administration, led the action, which was attended by delegates from the EU, including George Edgar, the EU’s ambassador to Cambodia, and representatives from various government departments, local authorities, monks, villagers, teachers and students.
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Source - Khmer Times
