David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation

Following the highly successful Khao Yai Project in Thailand, which was funded by DSWF, the Foundation went on to support a similar project in Cambodia's Bokor National Park, managed by WildAid (Bangkok).

Despite years of war in the 'Killing Fields' of Cambodia, the country still holds some of the most extensive and non-fragmented stretches of forest in Asia, providing vital habitat for remaining populations of many wild animals, including a relic population of tigers. Unfortunately war, extensive forest exploitation, increasing pressure for fertile land from an ever-increasing population and the trade in animal parts, are all threatening to undermine this. Bokor faces other pressures in that it spans four different provinces, each with their own local power structures, with some local army units, many of which are heavily armed, themselves deeply involved in illegal logging and poaching. Rural Cambodians use wood exclusively as their only source of energy and the pressure on the park is therefore intense.

This successful programme not only trained and equipped teams of anti-poaching patrols, but it works with over 40 villages surrounding the park on community outreach programmes, introducing them to alternative income generation schemes. In addition, it provides fuel efficient stoves, plant nurseries and offers employment to ex-poachers and has resulted in Bokor becoming one of the best protected parks in Cambodia.

Although a past project, it takes priority for DSWF emergency grant funding.