News & Events

A Huge Milestone for the Koh Kong Reptile Conservation Center

Congratulations to our partner, WCS Cambodia, on their recent milestone toward the conservation of the critically endangered Southern River Terrapin!

The Wildlife Conservation Society and the Fisheries Administration (FiA) in July marked another significant achievement in their efforts to restore the Cambodian population of Southern River Terrapins (colloquially known as Royal Turtles) with the inaugural opening of newly constructed rearing and breeding ponds at the Koh Kong Reptile Conservation Center (KKRCC). To further mark the opening of these facilities, our partners in Cambodia released another group of 20 subadult Southern River Terrapins, which were raised at the KKRCC, into the Sre Ambel River. The KKRCC has successfully produced 185 hatchling terrapins since 2021. This release marks the tenth for the species, totaling 206 returned to the wild. The collaborative efforts of WCS, FiA, and partners, including Turtle Survival Alliance, have been instrumental in protecting the Southern River Terrapin, once believed extinct in Cambodia.

Read the full press release here.

All photos by Phun Thorn © WCS Cambodia.