Wildlife Conservation in a Third-World Country : Problems of Implementation in Kulen Prum Tep, Cambodia

Abstract

Cambodia is a country in Southeast Asia that is defined by its diverse landscapes and fauna as much as it is by its people. In an effort to protect its diminishing forests and wildlife, and in response to international pressures, the Cambodian government set up the Kulen Prum Tep Wildlife Sanctuary in the northern Cambodian province of Oddar Meanchey in 1993. Unfortunately, due to a lack of regulation and a corrupt political system, the protected area commonly experiences prohibited activities like logging, slash-and burn agriculture, illegal settlements, and poaching. By living in close proximity to park rangers, illegal residents, and many of the area?s animal species, participants in this study were able to see how difficult it is to implement conservation practices in a country where many people go without the basic necessities of life.