WILDLIFE MONITORING AT PREK TOAL RAMSAR SITE, TONLE SAP GREAT LAKE 2013 and 2014

December 2015 Sun Visal and Simon Mahood,

Suggested Citation: Sun Visal and Mahood, S. (2015) Wildlife Monitoring at Prek Toal Ramsar Site, Tonle Sap Great Lake, 2013 and 2014. Wildlife Conservation Society, Cambodia Program, Phnom Penh.

Sun Visal and Mahood, S. (2015) Wildlife Monitoring at Prek Toal Ramsar Site, Tonle Sap Great Lake, 2013 and 2014 . Wildlife Conservation Society, Cambodia Program, Phnom Penh.

Sun Visal Mobile: (855-12) 708 836 E-mail: [email protected]

Simon Mahood Mobile: (855-89) 519 936 E-mail:[email protected]

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Copies Availablo from: Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Cambodia Program, #21, Street 21, Tonle Bassac, PO . Box 1620 Phnom Penh Tel/Fax: 023 217 205 Email: [email protected] www.wcs.org 2015

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank H. E. Say Samal, the Minister of Environment for his commitment to wetland conservation on the Tonle Sap Great Lake, and in particular Prek Toal Core Area. We also thank H. E. Chay Samith, Delegate of the Royal Government of Cambodia in charge of the General Department of Administration for Nature Conservation and Protection (GDANCP) of the Ministry of Environment (MoE), Dr. Srey Sunleang the Director of the Department of Fresh- water Wetland Conservation (DoFWC) and Mr. Long Kheng the Director of Prek Toal Core Area. Mr. Long Kheng and all of the conservation rangers are to be credited with the management and protection of the wildlife at Prek Toal, which has led to the increase in the populations of large waterbirds documented here. During the reporting period the project was funded by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF), USAID through a subcontract from Fintrac, Fixed Price Subcontract # 25 between Fintrac, Inc. and Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) for work to be performed under: Helping Address Rural Vulnerabilities and Ecosystem STability Recovery Program (Cambodia HARVEST) (under Prime Contract #AID-442-C-11-00001), a grant from the Margaret A. Cargill Foundation, as well as an anonymous foundation. We wish to thank all of our supporters past and present for their financial support to the project. Photographs are credited to Eleanor Briggs, Sun Visal, Ashish John and Simon Mahood.

Table of Contents

1 executive Summary 3 ខ䮛ឹម羶រសង䮁េប 5 Introduction 9 Success despite changing conditions 13 Impact of cancellation of the fishing lot in 2012 15 number and locations of waterbird colonies 19 Timing of peak waterbird counts 20 Trends in timing of peak counts 21 Greater Adjutant Leptoptilos dubius 25 Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus 27 Painted Stork Mycteria Leucocephala 29 Milky Stork Mycteria cinerea 31 Asian Openbill Anastomus oscitans 35 Spot-billed Pelican Pelecanus philippensis 39 oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster 43 Grey-headed Fish Eagle Ichthyophaga icthyaetus 47 Masked Finfoot Heliopais personata 48 Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia epicopus 49 Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhychus asiaticus 51 Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus 53 Hairy-nosed Otter Lutra sumatrana 53 Smooth-coated Otter Lutrogale perspicillata 57 Small Carnivores 59 Germain’s Silvered Langur Trachypithecus germaini 61 Long-tailed Macaque Macaca fascicularis 63 Future opportunities 65 References 67 Appendix 1. Monitoring methods 73 Appendix 2. Sightings of otter species at Prek Toal in 2013 and 2014. 74 Appendix 3. Germain’s Silvered Langur sightings at Prek Toal in 2013 and 2014 75 Appendix 4. Long-tailed Macaque sightings at Prek Toal in 2013 and 2014

Executive Summary

Prek Toal Core Area is the premier freshwater wetland site on the Tonle Sap Great Lake. In recognition of the incredible biological, social and economic value of the resources that it supports, it was designated a Ramsar Site by Sub-decree in October 2015. WCS have provided financial and technical support to the Ministry of Environment to manage Prek Toal for more than one decade. This report showcases the success of that collaboration. The report documents the status and trends of large waterbirds and globally threatened mammals in Prek Toal during the 2012/13 and 2013/14.

The period covered by this report was one of massive institutional change at Prek Toal. The fishing lot that overlapped completely with the core area, and had been there for many years, was cancelled in 2012. This brought a sharp increase in illegal activity within the core area, and an increase in disturbance to the waterbird colony. Extra protection measures were required, and these were developed during 2012/13 and rolled out completely during 2013/14. Platform-based waterbird monitoring provides an indicator of the impacts of the increased threat level, and the conservation response.

During 2013 the number of breeding pairs of a range of waterbird species declined significantly. However, for almost all species, numbers recovered to or above their pre-2012 levels. Numbers of Lesser Adjutants increased dramatically during 2014 to al-

1 most 400 breeding pairs, although the Greater Adjutant population remained around 150 pairs. Painted and Milky Stork numbers dropped in 2013, making only a small recovery in 2014. However, although numbers of Spot-billed Pelican and Asian Openbill were very low in 2013, the following year was a record year for both species. Oriental Darters followed a similar pattern to the pelicans. A range of other bird species was recorded, including Masked Finfoot.

Monitoring of primates indicated that populations are recovering, with mean group size for Silvered Langur and Long-tailed Macaque increasing annually. Particularly exciting was the upsurge in otter sightings. Camera trapping confirmed that both Hairy-nosed and Smooth-coated Otter occur throughout the core area in good numbers, as a result of protection of the bird colony and dry-season streams.

2 ខ䮛ឹម羶រសង䮁េប

តំបន់ស䮓ូលព្រក䞶ល់ គឺᾶតំបន់ដីសើមទឹក羶បសំ޶ន់បំផុតនៃបឹងទន䮛េសប ដែល掶នζរទទួល

ស䮂ាល់䎶ᾶធន䮶នដែល掶នតំលៃ ផ䮓ែកជីវចម្ុះ សង䮂ម និងសេដ䮋កិច䮅 ដែលមិន讶ចζត់ថ䮛ៃាន

ហើយតំបន់ស䮓ូលពក䞶ល់នេះត្រ ្ូវបនកំណត់䟅ᾶតំបន់រ៉ម羶រា ដលᾶតំបន់ដីសើម掶ន羶រៈែ

សំ޶ន់ᾶអន䮏រជតិ ⯄យអនុក្ឹត្យζលពីខែតុ澶 ឆ䮓ាំ២០១៥។ អង្គរសមគមអភិរក្សសត䮜ព្រ

(WCS) បនផ䮏ល់នូវζរគោំទ្ផ䮓ែកហិរញ䮉វត䮐ុ និងបចេ䮅កទេស ដល់ក្សួងបរិស䮐ាន ដើម្បីគ្ប់គ្ង

តំបន់ព្រក䞶ល់នេះ អស់រយៈពេលᾶងមួយទស្សវត្សមកហើយ ហើយរបយζរណ៍នេះបន

បង䮠ាញពី徶ពῄគជ័យ នៃកិច䮅សហប្តិបត䮏ិករណ៍ដែលបនធ䮜ើឡើង侶ពេលកន䮛ងមក។ របយ

ζរណ៌នេះផងដែរᾶឯក羶រស䮏ីពីស䮐ានភព និងបម្របម្ួលចំនួន នៃប្ភេទសត䮜ស䮛ាបទឹកធំៗ និង

ស䮐ាន徶ពថនិកសត䮜ដែលᾶប្ភេទទទួលរងζរគំរមកំហែងលើពិភព濄ក កំពុង掶នវត្តនក䮓ុង

តំបន់ស䮓ូលព្រក䞶ល់ក䮓ុងកំឡុងឆ䮓ាំ ២០១២-១៣ និង២០១៣-១៤។

ក䮓ុងកំឡុងពេលនរៃ បយζរណ៍នេះᾶពេលដល掶នζរផ䮛ែ ស់ប䮏ូរយ៉ា ងា ខង䮛ាំ ៅក䮓ុងតំបន់ព្រែកល់។

ឡូត�នេ羶ទដែលត្ួតគ䮓ាទំងស្ុង ᾶមួយតំបន់ស䮓ូល ហើយដែល掶ននទី俄ះអស់រយៈពេល

ᾶច្ើនឆ䮓ាំកន䮛ងមកហើយ俄ះ ត្ូវបនលប់ោលζលពីឆ䮓ាំ២០១២។ 䞶ំងនេះហើយ侶ំោយ

掶នζរកើនឡើងយ៉ងា ខ䮛ាំងនូវសកម្មភាពខុសច厶ប់ក䮓ុងតំបន់ស䮓ូល្ និង掶នζរកើនឡើងនូវζររំ޶ន

ដល់បន䮑ាយពងកូនសត䮜ស䮛ាបទឹក។ ហេតុដូចនេះហើយាំបច់ត្ូវ掶នវិ䮶នζរបន䮐ែមដើម្បីζរ家រ

អយបនប្សើរ ហើយវិ䮶នζរ䞶ំង俄ះត្ូវានរៀបចំឡើងនឆ䮓ាំ ២០១២/១៣ និងបនអនុវត䮏

䞶ំងស្ុងនឆ䮓ាំ ២០១៣/១៤។ ζរអង䮀េតាម⮶នសត䮜ស䮛ាបទឹកៅតមបន䮑ាយពងកូនᾶសូច�侶ករ

បង䮠ាញពីផលប៉ះ家ល់⯄យ羶 ζរកើនឡើងនូវζរគំរមកំហែង និងាំបច់ត្ូវធ្វើរទប់ស䮀ាត់

ជោបន�ោន់តមរយៈζរអភិរក្ស។

នក䮓ុងឆ䮓ាំ២០១៣ ចំនួនសត䮜ស䮛ាបទឹកសំ޶ន់ៗគ្ប់ប្ភេទ䞶ំងអស់ បនថយចុះគួរអយកត់

សម䮂ាល់។ ប៉ុន䮏ែ䟄ះᾶយ៉ាង㮶ក៏⯄យស្ើរតែគ្ប់ប្ភេទ䞶ំងអស់ ចំនួនរបស់玶掶នζរកើន

ឡើងវិញ ដែលប្ភេទមួយចំនួន掶នចំនួនស្មភើរ និងមួយចំនួនទៀត掶នចំនួនលើសនឹងចំនួនសត䮜

ζលពីឆ䮓ាំ២០១២។ ចំនួនសត䮜ប្ភេទត្ដក់តូច 掶នζរកើនឡើងខ䮛ាំងៅឆ䮓ាំ២០១៤ ដែល掶នចំនួន

ជិតដល់ ៤០០គូ រឺឯប្ភេទត្ដក់ធំនតែ掶នចំនួន ១៥០គូដដែល។ ចំនួនសត䮜ប្ភេទរ侶លពណ៍

3 និងរ侶លស 掶នζរថយចុះនរដូវបន䮏ពូជឆ䮓ាំ២០១៣ ហើយបនកើនឡើងវិញតិចតួចនឆ䮓ាំ២០១៤។

䟄ះᾶយ៉ាង㮶ក៏⯄យ ប្ភេទទុងប្ផេះ និងចេង��លខ្យង 掶នចំនួនតិចនឆ䮓ាំ២០១៣ ហើយនឆ䮓ាំ

បន䮑ាប់ចំនួននៃប្ភេទ䞶ំងពីនេះ បនកើនឡើងវិញគួអយកត់សម䮂ាល់។ ចំណែកឯបម្របម្ួលចំនួន

សត䮜ប្ភេទស䮘ោញ 掶នលក䮁ណៈប្ាក់ប្ហែលនឹងប្ភេទទុងប្ផេះដែរ។ ប្ភេទសត䮜ស䮛ាបទឹក

សំ޶ន់ៗមួយចំនួនទៀត ដល掶នវតែ ្តននក䮓ុងតំបន់ តវ្ូ ានធ䮜ើករកត់តផងដ្រ ររួម䞶ំងបែ ភេទសត䮜្

ពពូលទឹក។

ζរអង䮀េតតម⮶នពពួកអំបូរ家ននរ បនបង䮠ាញោយឃើញ䎶 ពួក玶掶នចំនួនច្ើនឡើងវិញ ដែល

ទំហំក្ុមប្ភេទស䮜ាព្រម និងស䮜ាក䮏ាម 掶នζរកើនឡើងᾶរងរល់ឆ䮓ាំ។ ពិសេសᾶងនេះទៀត俄ះគឺ

ζរកត់ត្រនូវវត្តនពពួកថន�កសត�ប្ភេទភេនក䮓ុងតំបន់ ⯄យបនធ䮜ើករបញ䮇ាក់ាមរយៈζរ⮶ក់

ម៉ាស៊ីនថតស䮜័យប្វត䮏 ដែលបនរកឃើញ掶នវត្តនភេពីរប្ភេទគឺ ភេ毄មច្មុះ និងភេខ䮛ួនរលង

ដែល掶នវត្តនទូ䞶ំងតំបន់ស䮓ូល និង掶នចំនួនច្ើន ដែលᾶលទ䮒ផលានមកពីζζរ家របន䮑ាយ

ពងកូនសត䮜ស䮛ាប និងζរζរ家រព្រកសំ޶ន់ៗនក䮓ុងតំបន់ស䮓ូលៅរដូវប្រំង។

4 IntroductionIntroduction

The Tonle Sap Great Lake in central Cambodia is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. It is one of the most productive freshwater ecosystems in the world and is extremely important for Cambodian people as a source of food and income. Its unique cultural, social and environmental values were recognized by its designation as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1997. Prek Toal, the most important of three core areas, is the last significant breeding stronghold in mainland South-east Asia for many globally threatened and near-threatened large waterbird species.

The Prek Toal bird colonies are the only remaining breeding sites in mainland South-east Asia for two Globally Threatened species, Spot-billed Pelican Pelecanus philippensis and Milky Stork Mycteria cinerea. They are also the largest remaining breeding site in the region for six more globally threatened or near-threatened species, namely the Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster, Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilus javanicus, Greater Adjutant Leptoptilus dubius, Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus, Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala and Grey-headed Fish Eagle Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus. For these reasons Prek Toal Core Area was designated as a Ramsar Site in 2015.

5 6 The conservation significance of these activities and to monitor the success of colonies led the Prek Toal Core Area to be ongoing conservation and protection selected for the creation of a comprehensive strategies. Obtaining accurate population monitoring and protection program. estimates allowing the detection of The project was started in 2001 by the population increases or decreases for Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) in species of conservation concern is critical collaboration with the General Department to evaluate the success of management of Administration for Nature Conservation interventions. Consequently, population and Protection (GDANCP), within the counts of the large breeding colonies Ministry of Environment (MoE) of the Royal of waterbirds began in 2001. Initial counts Government of Cambodia. between 2001 and 2003 were incomplete, so in 2003 a comprehensive monitoring Management of Prek Toal is by the Department program was put in place, aiming to of Freshwater Wetlands Conservation monitor the population size and detect the (DoFWC), within MoE, with financial and annual population trends of globally key technical support provided by WCS. species; methods are contained in The conservation project at Prek Toal Core Appendix 1. Area aims to consolidate management

7 Map1. Location of Prek Toal Core Area

The program has generated large, reliable Monitoring has since been expanded data sets from the 2003/4, 2004/5, to encompass other bird species of 2005/6, 2006/7, 2007/8, 2008/9, 2009/10, conservation concern, as well as globally 2010/11 and 2011/12 breeding seasons threatened mammals. Monitoring will be (Goes 2005; Clements et al. 2007; Sun expanded to fish and livelihoods during Visal & Clements 2008, Sun Visal & 2016. This report details the results of the Allebone-Webb 2009, Sun Visal et al. 2010, 2012/13 and 2013/14 breeding seasons Sun Visal & Mahood 2012). for the large waterbird colonies at the Prek Toal Core Area of Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve.

8 Success despite changing conditions

Monitoring data from 2013 and 2014 by a network of Fisheries Conservation demonstrate that the recovery of large Areas and Community Fisheries under waterbird populations at Prek Toal has Sub-decree 35 in March 2012. The former continued. This long-term trend is due to Fishing Lot 2 located at Prek Toal was nearly fifteen years of nest protection by completely given over to conservation as teams of dedicated rangers stationed on a Fisheries Conservation Area, managed tree-top platforms. Set against this decadal by the Fisheries Administration. This new trend, data from 2012-2014 can be used to management designation overlaps almost provide an indication of the impact of the completely with Prek Toal Core Area, fishing lot cancellation on the waterbird managed by the Ministry of Environment. populations, and by inference also the Subsequent sub-decrees identified the health of the flooded forest. With the provincial government as the institution summary cancellation of the fishing lot responsible for protecting the flooded system in August 2011, Prek Toal Core Area forest. Management of the Core Area experienced the most significant change remained the responsibility of GDANCP in operating environment for many years. under the Ministry of Environment. Nationally, the fishing lots were replaced

9 10

60.00Figure 1. Mean number of nests per tree for all key species has increased overall since protection began

50.00

40.00

30.00

20.00 est per Tree Number ofAverage Nest per

10.00

0.00 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Greater Adjutant Lesser Adjutant Milky Stork Asian Openbill Painted Stork Spot-billed Pelican Oriental Darter

Figure 1. Mean number of nests per tree for all key species has increased overall since protection began 11

600

500

umber of VisibleNumber of Counted Tree 400

300

200

100

0 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Greater Adjutant Lesser Adjutant Milky Stork Asian Openbill Painted Stork Spot-billed Pelican Oriental Darter

Figure 2. Number of nesting trees used by key species has increased since protection began 12 Impact of cancellation of the fishing lot in 2012

Although the fishing lot offered few community benefit sharing mechanisms, it restricted access to Prek Toal Core Area and consequently kept disturbance to the waterbird colony at a low level. The cancellation of the fishing lots represented a gamble for biodiversity and local livelihoods: if well managed it could lead to benefits to both, but if not, social inequalities could increase and the biodiversity value of the site could be eroded.

Following the cancellation of Fishing Lot there was relatively little illegal fishing in No. 2, local people were initially confused the core area. Although there was no time about the regulations associated with the and limited resources for WCS and MoE to new institutional arrangement. In part respond to the cancellation of the fishing because of this, and in part because lots by increasing conservation efforts, 2011/12 was an extremely high flood there was little impact on the number of year and fish were abundant everywhere, large waterbird nests in 2012. 13 During 2013 and 2014 there was a massive increase in the threat from illegal fishing in the core area. With support from WCS, MoE responded to this threat by expanding the new protection measures that were piloted in 2012. Three streams are the main access points to the core area during the dry season (December-July). Ranger teams were able to prevent illegal access to the core area by building temporary guard stations at the mouth and head of the three streams. This was piloted on one stream in 2012. In 2013 this was expanded to all three streams, but was not started until February, by which time a large number of people had already begun fishing in the core area. In 2014 stream protection stations were put in place as the water levels dropped, completely preventing access to the core area via the streams for the entire dry season. However, Prek Toal Core Area is most vulnerable to illegal entry during August-November, when the water level is high and there are many potential entry points. At this time of year it is extremely difficult to prevent people from illegally entering the core area, although frequency of boat patrols have been increased, and faster boats purchased. Bird species which breed earlier in the season when disturbance is higher, or are particularly sensitive to diturbance by illegal fishermen, are most likely to have been negatively affected by the cancellation of the fishing lots.

14 Number and locations of waterbird colonies

There were 16 main waterbird colonies in the 2013 and 17 colonies in 2014 breeding season. Of these there were nine main large waterbird colonies (black and white colonies) located at platforms 1, 2, 3, 32, 28, 7, 8, 9, and 16 (Maps 2 and 3). These colonies supported breeding Spot-billed Pelican, Painted Stork, Asian Openbill, Greater Adjutant, Lesser Adjutant, Milky Stork and Black-headed Ibis. For these species the breeding season started in early December and the birds left the colonies in late June. There were seven black colonies in 2013 and eight black colonies in 2014 (Darter and cormorants spp) located at platforms, 31, 24, 26, 37, 20, 31, 29, 36, 23, 34 and 35. These birds started to arrive in early August with the peak breeding period in early October 2013 and in mid-October 2014; the birds had left by late February. Two satellite colonies consisting of Lesser Adjutant and Asian Openbill, were located at platforms 6 and 16. The birds started to arrive at the colonies for breeding in late November, with the peak nesting period in early March for Lesser Adjutant and mid-February for Asian Openbill; they also left in late June.

15 Map 2. Locations of waterbird colonies in 2013

16 Map 3. Locations of waterbird colonies in 2014

17 18 Timing of peak waterbird counts

The timing of peak counts of the key species varies between species and years (Table 1). The timing of peak counts in the 2013 and 2014 breeding seasons were more similar to those recorded up to 2011 than the 2012 peak dates, which are closer to the dates recorded in the early years of the monitoring program and an exception to the overall pattern. With the exception of Asian Openbill and Milky Stork, all species nested earlier in 2013 than 2014.

Table 1. Peak nest dates of key species 2004-2014

Species 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Asian Openbill 15-Mar 04-Mar 15-Mar 04-Mar 09-Mar 24-Feb 09-Mar 27-Jan 02-Mar 12-Feb 15-Feb

Greater Adjutant 24-Apr 06-Apr 08-Apr 18-Apr 22-Apr 16-Mar 23-Mar 02-Feb 24-Apr 16-Feb 07-Mar

Lesser Adjutant 21-Apr 24-Mar 12-Apr 22-Mar 11-Mar 12-Feb 11-Feb 22-Feb 28-Mar 01-Mar 08-Mar Milky Stork 25-Mar 23-Apr 28-Mar 01-Apr 28-Mar 05-Mar 03-Mar 12-Feb 27-Feb 09-Feb 05-Feb

Painted Stork 1 0-Apr 13-Apr 06-Apr 15-Mar 08-Mar 12-Mar 28-Mar 05-Mar 23-Feb 05-Feb 07-Mar Spot-billed Pelican 16-Mar 16-Feb 07-Feb 31-Jan 10-Mar 17-Mar 11-Mar 19-Jan 18-Feb 15-Jan 06-Feb Oriental Darter 07-Dec 21-Nov 04-Nov 08-Nov 12-Oct 29-Oct 05-Oct 24-Nov 09-Nov 06-Oct 15-Oct

19 Trends in timing of Peak counts

The overall trend is towards earlier peak counts (Figure 3). Asian Openbill has shown the least variance from the 2004 baseline overall, although it now nests on average one month earlier than ten years ago. 2013 was the earliest nesting date on record for Spot-billed Pelican, Painted Stork and Oriental Darter, and the second earliest nesting date for Greater Adjutant; all four species and Lesser Adjutant now nest on average two months earlier than in 2004.

40

20 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Species 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 0

Asian Openbill 15-Mar 04-Mar 15-Mar 04-Mar 09-Mar 24-Feb 09-Mar 27-Jan 02-Mar 12-Feb 15-Feb -20

Greater Adjutant 24-Apr 06-Apr 08-Apr 18-Apr 22-Apr 16-Mar 23-Mar 02-Feb 24-Apr 16-Feb 07-Mar -40

Lesser Adjutant 21-Apr 24-Mar 12-Apr 22-Mar 11-Mar 12-Feb 11-Feb 22-Feb 28-Mar 01-Mar 08-Mar -60 Milky Stork 25-Mar 23-Apr 28-Mar 01-Apr 28-Mar 05-Mar 03-Mar 12-Feb 27-Feb 09-Feb 05-Feb -80 Painted Stork 1 0-Apr 13-Apr 06-Apr 15-Mar 08-Mar 12-Mar 28-Mar 05-Mar 23-Feb 05-Feb 07-Mar -100 Note: Data are displayed as number of days deviation from 2004 peak nesting date. ☐ = Asian Openbill, Spot-billed Pelican 16-Mar 16-Feb 07-Feb 31-Jan 10-Mar 17-Mar 11-Mar 19-Jan 18-Feb 15-Jan 06-Feb  = Greater Adjutant, x = Lesser Adjutant,  = Milky Stork,  = Painted Stork, Δ = Spot-billed Pelican, Oriental Darter 07-Dec 21-Nov 04-Nov 08-Nov 12-Oct 29-Oct 05-Oct 24-Nov 09-Nov 06-Oct 15-Oct O = Oriental Darter. Figure 3. Trends in date of peak nest count of key species in Prek Toal 20 Leptoptilos dubius Greater Adjutant ត្ដក់ធំ Trodok thom

Greater Adjutant is the largest stork species. It is 145 -150 cm in height with a wingspan of around 2.5 meters. Its diet is varied, feeding on frogs, reptiles, fish, crustaceans, large insects, as well as young mammals and birds. It is also a scavenger, eating carrion. With a global population of 800-1,000 mature individuals, Greater Adjutant is the rarest stork in the world. It is declining, for this reason it is classified as Globally Endangered and classified as an Endangered species under Cambodian Law (BirdLife International 2015). The population at Prek Toal is equal or greater in size as the population in Assam (India); together these two populations make up 90% of the global population.

250

200 rs ai

P 150 ding ee Br

100

50

0 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Greater Adjutant Figure 4. Number of Greater Adjutant nests on trees visible from the platforms 21 Population trend at Prek Toal. Trends in Greater Adjutant nest count trends in Prek Toal differ from those of other species. 2012 was an exceptional year, whilst 2013 and 2014 were extremely similar to each other and witnessed a decline to levels similar to 2008-2011 (Figure 3). The number of Greater Adjutant nests recorded in 2013 and 2014 was 137 (95% CI: 112-162) and 134 (95% CI: 110-158) respectively (Table 2). Although the number of Greater Adjutant nests recorded in 2013 and 2014 was less than in 2012 the mean number of nests per tree was similar (Table 2). However, the number of trees in which Greater Adjutants were found to be nesting decreased in 2013 and 2014 to the level it was at during 2006 and 2007.

22 Table 2. Greater Adjutant nest data based on the trees visible from the platforms

Year Average Nests/Tree Visible Trees Total Nests Confidence Interval 2004 1.33 42 56 (49-63) 2005 1.39 28 39 (32-46) 2006 1.34 44 59 (52-66) 2007 1.83 42 77 (65-89) 2008 1.85 65 120 (105-135) 2009 1.66 74 123 (111-135) 2010 1.85 61 126 (107-145) 2011 1.90 77 146 (127-165) 2012 2.96 67 198 (162-234) 2013 2.86 44 137 (112-162) 2014 2.79 48 134 (110-158) 23 24 Leptoptilos javanicus Lesser Adjutant ត្ដក់តូច Trodok toich

The Lesser Adjutant is a large stork at 120 -130 cm in height with a wingspan of over two meters. It has a similar diet to the closely related Greater Adjutant. The global population is estimated at around 5,500-10,000 mature individuals and declining, for this reason it is classified as Globally Vulnerable (BirdLife International 2015) and listed as a Rare species under Cambodian Law. Birds are distributed at low densities throughout mainland Southeast Asia and the eastern part of the Indian Subcontinent.

Population trend in Prek Toal: In 2014 the number of nests per tree was Over the last ten years the Lesser Adjutant 3.02 (95% CI: 2.7-3.3), making it the third population at Prek Toal has grown slowly. year in a row that the number of nests per However, 2014 was a remarkable year for tree has exceeded three (Table 3). In Prek Lesser Adjutant in Prek Toal. A total of 395 Toal, this species typically has no more (95% CI: 360-430) nests were recorded, than three nests per tree, although in which is higher than the previous record other parts of Cambodia up to six have year (2011), although almost within the been recorded in the larger Dipterocarps. confidence intervals for 2013 (Figure 5).

500

450

400

350

300

rs 250 ai P 200 ding

ee 150 Br 100

50

0 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Lesser Adjutant Figure 5. Number of Lesser Adjutant nests on trees visible from the platforms

25 Table 3. Lesser Adjutant nest data based on the trees visible from the platforms

Year Average Nests/Tree Visible Trees Total Nests Confidence Interval 2004 2.82 56 158 (127-189) 2005 2.61 83 217 (189-245) 2006 2.52 96 242 (217-267) 2007 2.94 86 253 (222-284) 2008 2.82 78 220 (189-251) 2009 2.95 118 348 (312-384) 2010 2.81 102 312 (276-348) 2011 2.77 131 363 (321-405) 2012 3.01 96 289 (251-327) 2013 3.34 77 315 (276-354) 2014 3.02 131 395 (360-430)

26 Mycteria leucocephala Painted Stork រ侶លពណ៌ Roniel Por

The Painted Stork is 95 -100 cm in height. Its diet is varied, feeding on frogs, reptiles, fish, crustaceans and large insects. It occupies mainland Southeast Asia and the Indian Subcontinent. The global population is estimated at around 10,000-17,000 and declining, and it is therefore classified as Globally Near Threatened (BirdLife International 2015). It is classified as a Rare Species under Cambodian Law

Population trend in Prek Toal: Up to 2012 to 283 in 2013 (the lowest number on Painted Stork showed a slow and steady record) and 368 in 2014 (Table 4). This is increase in the number of breeding pairs likely to be a genuine decline caused by at Prek Toal. However, in 2013 numbers disturbance, rather than a reduction in the dropped to the second lowest count on number of trees found by the rangers. The record, and only recovered slightly in 2014. number of nests recorded was similar to The reduction in the number of breeding that found in 2009, significantly less than pairs was driven by a decline in the number in 2011 and 2012 (Figure 6). of visible nest trees from 479 in 2012

27 3000

2500

2000 rs ai

P 1500 ding

ee 1000 Br

500

0 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Painted Stork Figure 6. Number of Painted Stork nests on trees visible from the platforms

In 2013 and 2014 the number of nests per tree was similar to that recorded during the previous five years. Unlike species such as Oriental Darter, Painted Stork did not respond to a reduction in the number of trees on which it felt safe to nest by increasing the number of nests per tree, consequently the disturbance had major impacts on the number of breeding pairs of Painted Stork.

Table 4. Painted Stork nest data based on the trees visible from the platforms Year Average Nests/Tree Visible Trees Total Nests Confidence Interval 2004 3.59 303 1089 (991-1187) 2005 4.25 402 1707 (1596-1818) 2006 4.79 385 1846 (1723-1969) 2007 4.57 403 1841 (1724-1958 2008 4.98 423 2106 (1946-2266) 2009 4.20 455 1910 (1789-2031) 2010 5.28 435 2419 (2275-2563 2011 5.29 443 2345 (2207-2483) 2012 5.51 479 2637 (2460-2814) 2013 5.45 283 1601 (1442-1760) 2014 4.92 368 1812 (1591-2033) 28 MycteriaMycteria cinereacinerea MMilkilkyy SSttoorkrk រ侶លសរ侶លស RRonieloniel SorSor

Milky Stork is very closely related to the Painted Stork. It is 92-97 cm in height. The diet is varied, feeding on crustaceans, amphibians, fish, reptiles and large insects. Most of the global population of Milky Stork is found on the coast of Sumatra and Java (Indonesia). Prek Toal is the only location in mainland Southeast Asia where the species breeds. The global population of Milky Stork is estimated at around 1,500 mature individuals. Owing to accelerating declines the species was recently uplisted to Globally Endangered (BirdLife International 2015). It is classified as a Rare species under Cambodian Law.

Population trend in Prek Toal: The Milky improvement in the number of nests Stork shows no clear long-term population recorded in 2014: 10 (95% CI: 8-12) trends (Figure 7). However it is noteworthy (Table 5). This is a similar short-term trend that since 2012 the population, and number to that of Painted Stork. This is unsurprising, of trees on which it has been found nesting, since the Milky Storks typically nest within is approximately half that recorded in 2010 colonies of Painted Stork. and 2011, although there was a slight

29 25

20 rs

ai 15 P ding

ee 10 Br

5

0 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Milky Stork

Figure 7. Number of Milky Stork nests on trees visible from the platforms

Table 5. Milky Stork nest data based on the trees visible from the platforms

Year Average Nests/Tree Visible Trees Total Nests Confidence Interval 2004 1.00 2 2 - 2005 1.00 4 4 - 2006 1.10 10 11 (9-13) 2007 1.43 7 10 (6-14) 2008 1.10 10 11 (9-13) 2009 1.14 7 8 (6-10) 2010 1.21 14 17 (14-20) 2011 1.23 13 16 (12-20) 2012 1.33 6 8 (6-10) 2013 1.17 6 7 (5-9) 2014 1.11 9 10 (8-12)

30 Anastomus oscitans Asian Openbill ចង䮀ៀលខ្យង ch ongk ie l kch ong

The Asian Openbill is a relatively small stork at just 70-80 cm in height. The bill of this bird is specially adapted to efficiently open a snail’s shell; it feeds mainly on the introduced Apple Snail Pomacea spp. The global population is thought to be large, and it is thought to be stable or even increasing globally, it is therefore listed as Globally Least Concern (BirdLife International 2015). It is classified as a Common species under Cambodian Law.

Population trend in Prek Toal: Numbers of recorded Asian Openbill nests Although the known population of Asian increased from 688 (95% CI: 514-862) in Openbill decreased to 2008 levels in 2013 2004 to 13,845 (95% CI: 12,418-15,272) (9,200 (95% CI: 9,518-9,885), 2014 was in 2010 and have since stabilised around the highest count on record with 14,666 this figure (Figure 8). Along with Oriental (95% CI: 13,572-15,760) nests recorded. Darter, Asian Openbill has shown the most The decrease in the number of nests dramatic increase in number of breeding recorded in 2013, and the increase in 2014, pairs since monitoring began. Overflights were due to a corresponding decrease of the colony conducted in 2007 indicated and increase in the number of trees used that the monitoring captures only 50% of for nesting and visible from the platforms the actual number of breeding pairs. (Table 6).

31 The decline in 2013 was likely due to disturbance, whilst the increase in 2014 was likely due to the new stream protection methods which piloted in 2012, refined in 2013 and implemented in full in 2014. Interestingly, the number of nests per tree recorded in 2012, 2013 and 2014 was similar to that recorded in 2009 (35-39), and approximately 10 nests less than during 2010 and 2011.

32 33 18000

16000

14000

12000 rs ai P 10000 ding

ee 8000 Br

6000

4000

2000

0 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Asian Openbill Figure 8. Number of Asian Openbil nests on trees visible from the platforms

Table 6. Asian Openbill nest data based on the trees visible from the platforms

Year Average Nests/Tree Visible Trees Total Nests Confidence Interval 2004 13.49 51 688 (514-862) 2005 15.93 87 1386 (1132-1640) 2006 18.71 151 2825 (2485-3165) 2007 22.88 168 3844 (3229-4459) 2008 29.84 313 9340 (8124-10556) 2009 34.23 332 11364 (9892-12836) 2010 41.21 307 13845 (12418-15272) 2011 44.75 292 13042 (11833-14251) 2012 35.76 362 12946 (11974-13918) 2013 39.05 232 9200 (8515-9885) 2014 35.34 415 14666 (13572-15760)

34 PelecanusPelecanus philippensisphilippensis SSppoott--billbilleedd PePelicalicann ទុងបទុងប្ផេះ្ផេះ tToungoung pproropphehess

Spot-billed Pelican is a large waterbird, 127-140 cm in length. Because of their unique bills and feeding method, the diet of pelicans is restricted almost exclusively to fish. It is found in the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia, in the latter it breeds only at Prek Toal. The global population estimated as around 8,700-12,000 mature individuals and declining, it is therefore classified as Globally Near Threatened (BirdLife International 2015), and is classified as a Common species under Cambodian Law.

Population trend in Prek Toal: Spot-billed recorded. These changes were driven by Pelicans typically breed when the water the number of visible nest trees, which in level is relatively high. They are sensitive 2014 was highest since the monitoring to disturbance, and usually arrive in the started and in 2013 the lowest (Table 7). This core area at lest one month in advance indicates that high levels of disturbance in of breeding. The number of Spot-billed 2013 are likely the reason for the extremely Pelican nests recorded in 2014, 1,803 low number of nests recorded that year, (95% CI: 1,660-1,946), was the highest on equally, the high count in 2014 was record (Figure 8). This contrasts favourably probably due to much improved protection with 2013, which was the worst year on early in the breeding season. record with just 803 (670-936) nests

35 2500

2000 s ir

Pa 1500 g in eed Br 1000

500

0 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Spot-billed Pelican

Figure 9. Number of Spot-billed Pelican nests on trees visible from the platforms

36 Table 7. Spot-billed Pelican nests data based on the trees visible from the platforms

Year Average Nests/Tree Visible Trees Total Nests Confidence Interval 2004 5.95 172 1024 (932-1116) 2005 5.09 192 978 (883-1073) 2006 8.25 191 1575 (1419-1731) 2007 8.84 173 1529 (1381-1677) 2008 7.32 199 1456 (1349-1563) 2009 5.54 267 1480 (1328-1632) 2010 6.02 229 1475 (1347-1603) 2011 7.64 206 1574 (1412-1736) 2012 8.51 201 1710 (1492-1928) 2013 6.46 125 803 (670-936) 2014 6.58 274 1803 (1660-1946)

37 These data illustrate that the number of nests of a species is only a measure of the number of pairs breeding in Prek Toal in a given year, not of the population. Birds that fail to breed in a given year still form part of the population, and will return to try and breed again in subsequent years. One or two “bad years” is unlikely to impact the population, as long as adult mortality is low.

38 AnhingaAnhinga melanogastermelanogaster OriOrienentaltal DDartarteerr ស䮘ស䮘ោញោញ SmaonhSmaonh

The Oriental Darter is relatively large, reaching 85 -97 cm. Diet is almost exclusively fish, which are caught by diving from the surface of the water. Oriental Darters are found throughout the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia. The global population is estimated at 22,000 mature individuals, it is declining over most of its range and is therefore classified as Globally Near Threatened (BirdLife International 2015). Itis classified as a Common species under Cambodian Law.

Population trend in Prek Toal: Of all the the rangers. The number of Oriental Darter waterbirds breeding at Prek Toal, Oriental nests have been stable at approximately Darters breed earliest, and although this 6,000 since 2008. Within this context, 2013 means that the threat from human was a relatively good year with 7,099 (95% disturbance is in theory highest, the CI: 6107-8091) nests and 2014 was a fairly colonies are tightly aggregated and can poor year with 6,117 (95% CI: 5497-6737) be efficiently protected and counted by nests (Figure 10).

39 40 9000

8000

7000 ai rs

P 6000

ding 5000

4000 Bree 3000

2000

1000

0 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Oriental Darter Figure 10. Number of Oriental Darter nests on trees visible from the platforms

Table 8. Oriental Darter nest data based on the trees visible from the platforms

Year Average Nests/Tree Visible Trees Total Nests Confidence Interval 2002 4 241 (118-364) 2003 17.97 29 521 (367-675) 2004 22.06 51 1125 (819-1431) 2005 24.25 76 1843 (1475-2211) 2006 31.99 79 2527 (2087-2967) 2007 27.20 149 4053 (3463-4643) 2008 30.60 178 5447 (4745-6149) 2009 38.06 192 7308 (6537-8079) 2010 30.37 179 5437 (4822-6052) 2011 37.72 177 6751 (5959-7543) 2012 44.07 156 6875 (6014-7736) 2013 43.56 133 7099 (6107-8091) 2014 38.96 157 6117 (5497-6737)

41 Changes in the number of nest trees, and the number of nests per tree, usually correlate with changes in the number of nests. However, the number of nest trees utilised in 2013 was notably less than in previous years, and for this reason the number of nests per tree was unusually high. It is possible that during 2013, increased disturbance restricted the geographic area in which the birds could nest. In 2014 the colony size was normal and the darters occupied a relatively large number of nest trees in comparison to the number of nests (Table 8), a trend that corresponds to the improved protection in 2014. Figure 10. Number of Oriental Darter nests on trees visible from the platforms

42 Ichthyophaga icthyaetus Grey-headed Fish Eagle អកត្ីក្厶លប្ផេះ Ork Trey Kbal Propesh

Grey-headed Fish Eagle is a Globally Near Threatened species that is scarce through Southeast Asia and the Indian Subcontinent. It is closely tied to freshwater wetlands. Following the methodology used since 2005, a strip-transect survey is conducted in December (the peak nesting time for this species) 2013 and 2014 to monitor former nesting trees and record new nesting sites. The data in Table 9 show the results of the Grey-headed Fish Eagle of these surveys. There were 37 breeding pairs in 2013 and 40

breeding pairs in 2014. These counts are relatively low, but not dissimilar to the count in 2011. However, the nest survey method is extremely vulnerable to variation in water level, if it is not conducted at the optimal time of year, lower water levels render it impossible to access some former nesting areas. It is highly likely therefore that in recent years some nests were missed. Distribution of the nests in 2013 and 2014 is shown in Maps 4 and 5 respectively. 43 Table 9. Number of Grey-headed Fish Eagle nests in Prek Toal

Year Total Number of Nests 2005 32 2006 43 2007 52 2008 58 2009 48 2010 51 2011 41 2012 45 2013 37 44 2014 40 Map 4. Locations of Grey-headed Fish Eagle nests, December 2013

45 Map 5. Locations of Grey-headed Fish Eagle nests, December 2014

46 HeliopaisHeliopais personatapersonata MMaskaskeedd FFiinnffoooott ពពូលទឹកពពូលទឹក PoPoppolol TeukTeuk

Masked Finfoot is a Globally Endangered bird species with a population of fewer than 2,500 mature individuals, It is declining due to human disturbance and habitat loss (BirdLife International 2015). It requires large areas of intact habitat and undertakes poorly understood seasonal movements. Cambodia is thought to support one of the

most important populations worldwide ever been found. It is seen occasionally (Mulligan et al. 2013). In Prek Toal Masked along the main rivers inside the core area Finfoot is seen annually in small numbers. by the patrol rangers and research team. Records of chicks during the 2000’s There were no records in 2013 and two indicate that it breeds but no nests have records in 2014, both in July (Table 10).

Table 10. Records of Masked Finfoot in Prek Toal during 2013 and 2014

Date Location Location name No. of individual Activity 02 July 2014 349102 - Prek Proh 01 Feeding 1462353 Deumchheur 10 July 2014 349108 - Prek Proh 01 Feeding 1457484 Deumchheur

47 Ciconia epicopus Woolly-necked Stork សត䮜កស រឺ ត្ុំ រឺកុក家ក់អំ叄ះ Sat Korsor, Trom, or Kok Pak Ambos

The Globally Vulnerable Woolly-necked Stork did not breed in Prek Toal in 2013 or 2014. Between 2004 and 2010, a single pair of Woolly-necked Storks bred in Prek Toal Core Area, and 2012 a pair of Woolly-necked Stork tried unsuccessfully to breed; their former nesting tree (#111) was used by Oriental Darter. Elsewhere in Cambodia Wooly-necked Stork breeds in riparian forest.

48 Ephippiorhychus asiaticus Black-necked Stork អង䮀ត់ខ䮘ៅ រឺដំបងក្ញ៉ូង Angkot Khmao or Dambang Krahnoung

The Globally Near Threatened Black-necked Stork is a very scarce breeder throughout Cambodia. No Black-necked Storks bred in Prek Toal in 2013 and 2014. This species has not bred in Prek Toal since a single pair nested at platform 16 in 2004 and 2005. Black-necked Stork is still occasionally seen feeding along the lakeshore, with one record on 8 May 2014 at 352665-1462744.

49 50 Threskiornis melanocephalus Black-headed Ibis ត្យ៉ងខ䮛ួនស MycteriaTroyong cinerea Klouns or Milky Stork រ侶លស Roniel Sor In Prek Toal the Globally Near Threatened Black-headed Ibis tends to breed low down deep in the scrub; the nests are rarely visible from the platforms. In 2013 it was only possible to count adults from platform 28 and nests and chicks from platform 1 and 2. In 2014, some birds bred on tall trees, so that it was possible to count nests at two colonies observed from platform 16 and 28. Table 11 shows the number of nesting trees, adults, nests and chicks counted from 2008 to 2014. For reasons stated above, this is not an accurate measure of the population.

51 Table 11. Counts of Black-headed Ibis in Prek Toal

Year No.nesting trees Adults Nests Chicks 2008 4 539 62 303 2009 3 469 43 181 2010 3 176 111 98 2011 - 345 - - 2012 11 263 - - 2013 2 67 3 5 2014 13 457 99 313 52 Lutra sumatrana Hairy-nosed Otter ភេ毄មច្មុះ Phe romchromose

Lutrogale perspicillata Smooth-coated Otter ភេខ䮛ួនរ濄ង Phe klounrolung

Two species of otter occur in the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve, the Hairy-nosed Otter Lutra sumatrana and the Smooth-coated Otter Lutrogale perspicillata. Rangers regularly report otters, particularly when the water level is lower, during March-May. Ranger reports of otters during 2012/13 and 2013/14 are contained in Appendix 2, with identifications as stated by the rangers. The largest group of otters recorded was 20 Smooth-coated Otters, an exceptional count.

53 In 2014, we conducted a rapid targeted camera trap survey in order to confirm the identification to species level of otter populations along the Prek Da stream. Four camera traps were used over 172 camera trap days in April and May 2014. This produced a total of 34 notionally independent photographs of otters, of which 24 could be identified as Smooth-coated Otter and four as Hairy-nosed Otter (six cold not be identified to species). Details of the method used and results obtained are found in Willcox et al. (in review).

54 Map 6. Locations of otter sightings and camera traps in 2012/13 and 2013/14

55 Camera trapping confirmed that both Hairy-nosed and Smooth-coated Otters inhabit the core area. The data from camera traps indicate that Prek Toal is at least a regionally important site for these species and of probable global significance for Hairy-nosed Otter. It is likely that protection of fish-breeding habitat and the large waterbird colony has benefitted the otter population at Prek Toal.

56 Small carnivorEs មំសោសីថ�ោក់តូច

No records of Fishing Cat were made during 2012/13 or 2013/14. However, during the camera trapping conducted in 2014 three other species of small carnivore were recorded, namely Leopard Cat Prionailurus bengalensis, Common Palm Civet Paradoxurus hermaphroditus and Small Asian Mongoose Herpestes javanicus.

57 58 TrachypithecusTrachypithecus germainigermaini GeGermairmain’n’ss SSilvilveerreedd LLaanngguurr សស䮜ាព䮜ាព្រម្រម SvaSva ppreamream

Germain’s Silvered Langur is recorded in Prek Toal Core Area in increasing numbers. Map 7 shows sightings made in 2013 and 2014. Records of Germain’s Silvered Langur made by the rangers are listed in Appendix 3. Locations of sightings are shown on Map 7. During 2013 just 16 records were made with an average group size of 4.1, however during 2014 there were 29 records, with a mean group size of 5.9 and a maximum of 24 individuals. During 2012 the mean group size was 3.3. As protection of the flooded forest improves, we expect the Germain’s Silvered Langur population to recover.

59 Map 7. Locations of records of Silvered Langur in 2013 and 2014

60 Macaca fascicularis Long-tailed Macaque ស䮜ាក䮏䮜ា ាមា Sva kdam

Long-tailed Macaque numbers at Prek Toal are gradually recovering after heavy exploitation for the laboratory trade. It is recorded at Prek Toal Core Area in increasing numbers. Records for 2013 and 2014 are in Appendix 4 and mapped in Map 8. The maximum group size recorded was 15. Mean group size is increasing, although not as rapidly as it is for Germain’s Silvered Langur.

7

6

5

4 Langur 3 Macaque

2

1

0 2012 2013 2014

Figure 11. Mean group size of primates 61 in Prek Toal Core Area Map 8. Locations of records of Long-tailed Macaque in 2013 and 2014

62 Future opportunities

- Continue protection and monitoring of the colony of large waterbirds - Continue stream protection, and record all sightings of primates and otters - Enhance protection, by preventing access to the core area, particularly at the beginning of the nesting season - Expand the monitoring program to fish, following nationally recognised methodologies - Monitor the impacts of protection of the core area on livelihoods of communities in floating villages surrounding PrekToal - Work with the Community Protected Area committee to improve benefits to local communities - Expand the ecotourism infrastructure and attract more visitors in a way that does no harm to the waterbird colony - Move towards sustainable financing of management activities in Prek Toal Core Area, using funds raised from ecotourism

63 64 References

BirdLife International (2013) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from http://www. birdlife.org on 06/04/2013. Clements, T., O’Kelly, H. and Sun Visal (2007). Monitoring of large waterbirds at Prek Toal, Tonle Sap Great Lake 2001-2007. Project Report, Wildlife Conservation Society Cambodia Program, Phnom Penh. Davidson, P. (2006). The Biodiversity of the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve 2005 Status Review, Wildlife Conservation Society Cambodia Program, Phnom Penh. Goes, F. (2005). Four years of water bird conservation activities in Prek Toal Core Area, Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve (2001-2004), Wildlife Conservation Society Cambodia Program, Phnom Penh. Tan Setha and Poole, C. M. (2003). A Field Guide to the Birds of Cambodia. Wildlife Con servation Society Phnom Penh (WCS), Cambodia Program. Mulligan, B., Rous Vann, Sun Visal, Sam Han and Goes, F. (2012) Status of Masked Finfoot in Cambodia. Cambodian Journal of Natural History 2012: 13–28. Poole, C. (2003) The First Records of Hairy-nosed Otter Lutra sumatrana from Cambodia with Notes on the National Status of Three Other Otter Species. Nat. Hist. Bull. Siam. Soc. 51(2): 273-280 Robson, C. R. (2011) A Field Guide to the Birds of South-East Asia. New Holland Publishers Ltd. United Kingdom. Sun Visal & Allebone-Webb, S. (2009). Monitoring of large waterbirds at Prek Toal, Tonle

65 Sap Great Lake, 2009. In: Biodiversity monitoring in floodplain of the Tonle Sap in 2008-9. pp.1-19 Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Cambodia Program, Phnom Penh. Sun Visal & Clements, T. (2008). Monitoring of large waterbirds at Prek Toal, Tonle Sap Great Lake 2008. Annual Report, Wildlife Conservation Society Cambodia Program, Phnom Penh. Men Soriyun, Suon Phalla, Sin Polin and Joe Walston. (2008). A Guide to the Mammals of Cambodia. Wildlife Conservation Society Phnom Penh (WCS), Cambodia Program. Sun Visal & Mahood, S. (2012) Monitoring of large waterbird at Prek Toal, Tonle Sap Great Lake, 2011. Wildlife Conservation Society, Cambodia Program, Phnom Penh. Sun Visal, Nicholson, T. & van Zalinge R. (2010). Monitoring of large waterbirds at Prek Toal, Tonle Sap Great Lake 2010. Annual Report, Wildlife Conservation Society Cambodia Program Phnom Penh. Tingay, R., Malcolm, A., Nicoll C. & Sun Visal (2006). Status and Distribution of The Grey-headed Fish Eagle (Ichthyophaga icthyaetus) in the Prek Toal Core Area of Tonle Sap, Cambodia. Journal of Raptor Research (rapt-40-04-04.3d 22/11/06). van Zalinge, R., Evans, T. & Sun Visal (2008). A review of the status and distribution of large waterbird in the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve 2008. Project Report, Wildlife Conservation Society Cambodia Program, Phnom Penh. van Zalinge, R (2006). An assessment of exotic species in the tonle sap biosphere reserve. Project report, Wildlife Conservation Society Cambodia Program, Phnom Penh. Willcox, D., Sun Visal and Mahood, S. P. (in review) The conservation status of otters in Prek Toal Core Area, Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia. Small Carnivore Specialist Group Bulletin.

66 Appendix 1. Monitoring methods The methods described below are the protocols that have been used since 2003.

1.1. Platform Counts 1.1.1. Origins of bird counts Between 2001 and 2003, initial conservation activities consisted of forest patrols by up to 25 rangers, depending on the season. The rangers used a network of semi-permanent vantage platforms (‘rien’) located at the top of trees for surveillance activities and also to count nesting birds. Although this method allowed for the partial monitoring of the colony area, there was no measure of the percentage of the colony that could be seen from the platforms, or of parts of the colonies that were inadvertently counted more than once. The ranger platform-based counts did, however, prove to be an extremely efficient protective mechanism and resulted in an almost complete cessation of egg and chick collection incidences. The colony protection facilitated by these counts, from both poaching and disturbance, has remained an essential consideration in the development of the monitoring programme. As the programme evolved the platform counts continued to

67 form the basis of the monitoring regime 1.1.3. Data collection but since 2003 these counts have been The ranger teams conduct bird counts at supplemented by other methods. the colonies two to three times weekly. Pre-formatted data sheets are used when 1.1.2. Observation platforms conducting a count, ensuring that data The waterbird colonies are located by boat collection and quality is standardised. at the end of the wet season, from August to These counts yield three types of output: January. The rangers use their knowledge of the area and the previous year’s records a. Daily colony count datasheet to identify the colony sites, including any b. Weekly summary datasheet and new satellite colonies which have been c. Tree datasheets. established. The platforms are built in tall trees which allow a good view of the The daily count datasheet gives detailed olonies and are situated close enough to information on the colony population and permanent streams to facilitate access in the its evolution during the breeding season. dry season. The trees are selected as close This provides the basic raw monitoring data. to the colony as possible without causing The datasheets are returned to the Prek disturbance. The fact that the birds actually Toal Core Area Management Centre when began nesting on one of the platforms the ranger teams rotate. This ensures that in 2005 (Platform three, Spot-billed Pelican counts by different teams are independent and Greater Adjutant colony) indicates – i.e. the newly arriving team does not that the presence of the rangers causes know how many birds the previous team minimal disturbance to the birds. During counted on each tree. The tree datasheet the wet season, boats can access the core follows exactly the same format as the daily area, and are therefore a potential source count datasheet, but serves a different of (often unintentional) disturbance to the purpose. It maintains a running log of the colonies. To avoid this, colony boundaries occupied trees in the colony (but not the are demarcated using brightly coloured number of birds), to help the new team in string and warning signs. These signs are locating occupied trees and identifying also helpful when counting the birds, as they the occupying bird species. The weekly can help to identify the colony boundaries summary datasheet simply extracts the and distinguish groups of trees that should daily counts on a weekly basis for each be counted from different platforms. colony. These datasheets are also returned to the management centre when the teams rotate.

68 1.1.4. Counting procedure Boat-based counts are used during high For each tree, one species is counted at water level in the wet season, when the a time, beginning with the adult birds, Oriental Darters are breeding. They provide then the chicks, the nests with chicks and accurate data in a short period of time from finally the nests without chicks (parents all nesting trees and do not require the use incubating eggs). Only visible bird species of platforms. However, for all other species are counted, focusing on the key species: the breeding period falls during the Oriental Darter, Greater Adjutant, Lesser low water levels, rendering the colonies Adjutant, Painted Stork, Milky Stork and inaccessible. During this period counts are Asian Openbill, but including other species conducted from the observation platform where present. The Black-headed Ibis is using telescopes. only visible when the species breed on the top of the trees, but most individuals nest Rangers receive ongoing training to ensure in the scrub, so these data are incomplete that standardised counting protocols are and not included. followed. This allows the collection of scientifically rigorous data which can be 1.1.5. Timing of counts combined and compared over different Counts at the colonies are taken throughout years. Ranger teams count the trees in the breeding season for each species. order from the platform, tree by tree. However, only data collected during the Counts always start at the same tree and 6 week period when species’ colonies are proceed in the same direction from each at maximum size are used for population platform. Rangers measure the direction of estimation and monitoring. During this each tree, estimate the distance to the tree period the rangers must pay extra attention from the platform, identify the tree species, to collect data accurately as the volume of give the tree a number and estimate records will increase significantly. the percentage of the tree that can be seen from the platform. A ranger team comprises two people, one as the observer and the other as the recorder. The recorder is responsible for completing the datasheet whilst the observer uses the telescope to count the number of birds on each tree. Counts are conducted only when visibility is high and the weather is favourable

69

1.1.5. Timing of counts Counts at the colonies are taken throughout the breeding season for each species. However, only data collected during the 6 week period when species’ colonies are at maximum size are used for population estimation and monitoring. During this period the rangers must pay extra attention to collect data accurately as the volume of records will increase significantly.

Table 1. Peak nesting period for key Table 1. Peakspecies nesting at period Prek for Toal in key species at Prek Toal in 2012/13 and 2013/14 2012/13 and 2013/14

Species Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Oriental Darter Spot-­‐billed Pelican Greater Adjutant Lesser Adjutant Painted Stork Milky Stork Asian Openbill Grey-­‐headed Fish Eagle

Breeding season Peak counts

1.2. Marking of Nesting Trees The tree mapping and marking is 1.2.1. Visible Trees conducted by at least two ranger teams. Trees are marked in order to calculate the One or more teams use boats to find and total number of occupied trees seen from attach the zinc numbers to the trees, platforms, and to resolve the problem of directed by another team on the platform multiple counting of the same tree. Trees with a telescope and compass. Boat team(s) are uniquely identified by a zinc plate records the tree number, species, GPS with a large, visible number, thus assisting waypoint number and the UTM easting rangers to improve the quality of the and northing of every tree that is mapped. platform-based count. Tree mapping and If possible, a large zinc number plate is marking is conducted by boat after the attached to the tree facing the platform; breeding season, during the wet season, otherwise a small lead number plate between August and October when the is attached. It is not possible to attach area is accessible by boat, and before the numbers to some trees and so, although Pelicans arrive in November. At this time they are mapped, these trees are not of year the bird colonies are effectively marked. unoccupied.

70 71 Sometimes rangers arrive at a tree that already has a zinc plate or lead plaque belonging to another platform. In this case they attach a second zinc plate facing the second platform from which it was counted. They also record on the tree mapping datasheet the other numbers present on the tree, and the platforms these numbers are associated with. These trees are therefore counted from more than one platform. In 2004/5, 2005/6, 2006/7, 2007/8, 2008/9, 2009/10, 2010/2011 and 2011/12, 2012/13 and 2013/14 the rangers also checked all trees previously marked with a zinc plates in order to replace lost or damaged marks. Previously mapped trees can easily be located using the GPS coordinates obtained during the previous season.

1.2.2. Darter Colonies It is impossible to mark the trees of the Oriental Darter colonies because this species arrives very early in the season (August), when the water levels are still too low to allow boat access. For these colonies the rangers use a 1000-metre rangefinder to measure the distance and a compass to measure the bearing from the platform to the trees when the birds are counted. This allows the nesting trees to be accurately mapped. Sometimes nesting trees are located beyond the 1000 metre capacity of the rangefinder, in which case the trees are recorded as being >1000m distant.

72 Appendix 2. Sightings of otter species at Prek Toal in 2013 and 2014. Identifications are by rangers

Species Date Location No. of Activity individuals

Hairy-nosed Otter 13-Jan-13 353795-1449522 6 Feeding Hairy-nosed Otter 08-Apr-13 349243-1460080 7 Feeding Unidentified otter 16-May-13 359089-1456573 4 Feeding Hairy-nosed Otter 08-Jun-13 360003-1449827 2 Feeding Hairy-nosed Otter 13-Jun-13 356540-1449937 3 Feeding Unidentified otter 14-Jun-13 357304-1449367 7 Feeding Smooth-coated Otter 15-Jun-13 357185-1449720 20 Feeding Unidentified otter 21-Jun-13 353656-1462955 1 Feeding Smooth-coated Otter 24-Jun-13 349686-1461363 5 Feeding Hairy-nosed Otter 26-Jun-13 349682-1461363 9 Feeding Hairy-nosed Otter 26-Jun-13 351077-1461452 4 Feeding Hairy-nosed Otter 27-Dec-13 353393-1456075 2 Feeding Hairy-nosed Otter 27-Dec-13 354256-1452633 1 Feeding Smooth-coated Otter 04-Jan-14 353478-1454451 1 Feeding Smooth-coated Otter 25-Jan-14 356726-1456129 1 Feeding Hairy-nosed Otter 21-Feb-14 354865-1452236 3 Feeding Hairy-nosed Otter 22-Feb-14 353790-1449544 6 Feeding Hairy-nosed Otter 25-Feb-14 354445-1449442 1 Feeding Hairy-nosed Otter 25-Feb-14 358440-1449851 2 Feeding Smooth-coated Otter 27-Feb-14 349655-1461286 2 Feeding Hairy-nosed Otter 28-Feb-14 351271-1461832 5 Feeding Smooth-coated Otter 20-Mar-14 358411-1450583 2 Feeding Hairy-nosed Otter 04-Apr-14 354866-1452239 4 Feeding Smooth-coated Otter 06-Apr-14 354800-1456021 6 Feeding Smooth-coated Otter 08-Apr-14 350063-1461487 3 Feeding Unidentified otter 17-Apr-14 355757-1456083 4 Feeding Smooth-coated Otter 17-Apr-14 354800-1456021 7 Feeding Smooth-coated Otter 18-Apr-14 352740-1462828 2 Feeding Hairy-nosed Otter 24-Apr-14 357289-1456175 2 Feeding Smooth-coated Otter 04-May-14 358560-1456520 1 Feeding Smooth-coated Otter 24-May-14 349835-1460052 5 Feeding Smooth-coated Otter 28-May-14 357176-1449619 3 Feeding Smooth-coated Otter 15-Jun-14 344910-1459099 1 Feeding Smooth-coated Otter 16-Jun-14 349637-1460854 1 Feeding Unidentified otter 27-Jun-14 358562-1456519 2 Feeding Unidentified otter 15-Dec-14 349700-1456000 2 Feeding

73 Appendix 3. Germain’s Silvered Langur sightings at Prek Toal in 2013 and 2014

Date Location No. of Activity individuals

12-Jan-13 349777-1446472 10 Feeding 16-Jan-13 359650-1449778 2 Feeding 11-Apr-13 359942-1449839 3 Feeding 24-May-13 359976-1450186 6 Feeding 12-Jun-13 359782-1449455 2 Feeding 16-Jun-13 360166-1451076 3 Feeding 18-Jun-13 359994-1449733 11 Feeding 27-Jun-13 349803-1461433 4 Feeding 04-Jul-13 359870-1449798 3 Feeding 04-Jul-13 359724-1449766 10 Feeding 06-Aug-13 359788-1449601 4 Feeding 06-Aug-13 359870-1449797 1 Feeding 13-Oct-13 348311-1452017 2 Feeding 15-Dec-13 351178-1461670 1 Feeding 16-Dec-13 348924-1454908 2 Feeding 17-Dec-13 349773-1461664 2 Feeding 03-Feb-14 345143-1455279 2 Feeding 24-Feb-14 349657-1461293 12 Feeding 01-Mar-14 358504-1456471 3 Feeding 07-Apr-14 353661-1462947 7 Feeding 12-Apr-14 361375-1439473 3 Feeding 17-Apr-14 353672-1462980 3 Feeding 22-Apr-14 345558-1455548 8 Feeding 28-Apr-14 358930-1456379 5 Feeding 28-Apr-14 353685-1462953 2 Feeding 01-May-14 345564-1455546 7 Feeding 07-May-14 358446-1456431 1 Feeding 10-May-14 359991-1449838 7 Feeding 18-May-14 358561-1456521 1 Feeding 19-May-14 345615-1455539 9 Feeding 19-May-14 345986-1454550 2 Feeding 25-May-14 349835-1461474 9 Feeding 28-May-14 349436-1460642 3 Feeding 30-May-14 349687-1461360 2 Feeding 04-Jun-14 349595-1460895 14 Feeding 04-Jun-14 358286-1439478 1 Feeding

74 21-Jun-14 356567-1449656 1 Feeding 22-Jun-14 356637-1449460 8 Feeding 28-Jun-14 355573-1455546 24 Feeding 07-Jul-14 349659-1461374 7 Feeding 08-Jul-14 349680-1456411 2 Feeding 13-Jul-14 358937-1456411 2 Feeding 15-Jul-14 345374-1455470 21 Feeding 20-Jul-14 349662-1461358 2 Feeding 13-Sep-14 351549-1448876 2 Feeding

Appendix 4. Long-tailed Macaque sightings at Prek Toal in 2013 and 2014

Date Location No. of Activity individuals

11-Jan-13 353864-1453088 4 Feeding 12-Jan-13 345661 1455538 5 Feeding 05-Feb-13 353888-1453084 2 Feeding 29-Mar-13 348737-1457394 5 Feeding 10-Apr-13 352830-1463479 6 Feeding 09-May-13 353154-1463397 1 Feeding 11-May-13 353680-1462956 7 Feeding 13-May-13 356816-1449801 1 Feeding 04-Jun-13 353709-1449453 1 Feeding 05-Jun-13 352141-1447598 2 Feeding 12-Jun-13 359776-1449455 3 Feeding 14-Jun-13 357301-1449111 3 Feeding 28-Jun-13 358574-1456529 3 Feeding 14-Jan-14 349449-1460301 8 Feeding 14-Jan-14 354969-1449533 1 Feeding 16-Mar-14 345050-1455120 1 Feeding 19-Mar-14 358411-1450583 1 Feeding 08-Apr-14 352128-1453010 1 Feeding 13-Apr-14 352128-1453010 1 Feeding 03-May-14 356654-1449942 4 Feeding 05-May-14 356625-1449936 8 Feeding 05-May-14 356691-1449834 3 Feeding 08-May-14 352141-1462127 1 Feeding 06-Oct-14 356229-1451504 1 Feeding

75 14-May-14 356656-1449941 5 Feeding 17-May-14 357166-1449609 2 Feeding 22-May-14 356642-1449931 5 Feeding 23-May-14 356699-1449866 5 Feeding 24-May-14 352381-1462390 9 Feeding 25-May-14 349835-1467740 2 Feeding 07-Jun-14 357303-1449450 7 Feeding 11-Jun-14 349804-1461450 1 Feeding 16-Jun-14 348727-1457395 4 Feeding 03-Jun-14 356622-1449939 9 Feeding 05-Jun-14 357316-1449939 7 Feeding 05-Jun-14 356670-1449928 15 Feeding 22-Jun-14 356637-1449460 8 Feeding 23-Jun-14 351942-1461984 3 Feeding 24-Jun-14 356757-1449809 5 Feeding 25-Jun-14 357175-1449712 2 Feeding 26-Jun-14 357186-1449608 4 Feeding 02-Jul-14 348081-1457218 3 Feeding 04-Jul-14 352101-1449851 2 Feeding 05-Jul-14 356699-1461395 6 Feeding 20-Aug-14 356208-1450002 6 Feeding 06-Oct-14 356229-1451504 1 Feeding

76 77 78