A biodiversity research team from Conservation International (CI) Cambodia, in collaboration with Ministry of Environment specialists, is identifying bird calls recorded in the field by analysing the data collected from nearly 100 bird species.

According to CI, the analysis was conducted in the fields in the Central Cardamom Mountains and biodiversity corridors. Analysis of the collected data will be compiled into scientific papers and technical reports and shared with the general public, it said.

“In addition, the working group has documented biodiversity surveys in the Central Cardamom Mountains and biodiversity corridors and discussed its feedback with the Department of Conservation of the South Tonle Sap Natural Protected Area under the Ministry of Environment to improve cooperation in conducting further surveys,” it added.

Thong Reth, coordinating officer at CI Cambodia, told The Post on October 10 that some of the birds spotted in this area have not yet been identified.

So far, experts have found nearly 100 separate bird species, some of which have been identified while others require further research, she added.

“I’m analysing the data. There are 97 species, and we will analyse both the sound of their calls and their visual appearance. As our team could not identify all of them, we will consult with specialists,” she said.

Environment ministry spokesman Neth Pheaktra confirmed to The Post that the survey was a joint collaboration between the international conservation organisation and his ministry.

He said the study aims to detail the biodiversity of the area. Surveys have been conducted since the year 2000.

“Currently, we are implementing a carbon credit scheme, which requires that we pay close attention to protecting and conserving the natural resources in the area. We need to carry out a comprehensive study of the area, and identify what species live there. We also need to determine if there are any unique or rare species which require specific studies of their own,” he said.

On August 23, CI named nearly 20 species of birds that their team encountered in the Central Cardamom Mountains National Park, most of them are endangered.

These included lineate barbet, blue-eared barbet, green-eared barbet, great hornbill, oriental pied hornbill, golden-beaked bird, dusky broadbill, black-hooded oriole, blue-winged leafbird, Siamese fireback, red-breasted trogon, blue-bearded bee-eater, Asian fairy-bluebird, rufous-bellied woodpecker, great slaty woodpecker, white-rumped shama and blue-winged Leafbird.

Reth hoped that the discovery of rare birds in the area will contribute to motivating the public to stop eating birds and participate in their conservation.