About Us
The Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity (ACCB) was established in 2003 by Allwetterzoo Münster in collaboration with the Zoological Society for the Conservation of Species and Populations (ZGAP) and with support from Dr. Goetz. It is one of the first nature conservation centres in Cambodia, located within Phnom Kulen National Park, about 50km north of Siem Reap Town and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Angkor.
To counteract the on-going loss of biodiversity and to promote conservation in Cambodia, the Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity has following four objectives:
- To promote the rescue of selected native Cambodian wildlife and to provide adequate rehabilitation and release facilities while ensuring the maintenance of internationally recognized standards.
- To provide facilities and technical expertise for the conservation breeding of selected threatened species, and to initiate and carry out appropriate reintroduction programs.
- To serve as an education and training centre for communities, wildlife officials and visitors to the centre in order to increase awareness of and build capacity for conservation and environmental protection and management, and to promote the sustainable use of natural resources.
- To initiate and participate in wildlife conservation and research activities in Cambodia, including in situ conservation activities, species recovery efforts, biodiversity inventories and natural resource-use assessment, and to provide information to support management recommendations for protected areas.
ASAP Species That We Work On
What We Do
ACCB’s Environmental Education Team is raising awareness among local and foreign visitors in order to promote Cambodia’s rich biodiversity and to inform about conservation issues.
Besides the educational approach, ACCB focuses on following ASAP species:
Giant Ibis Thaumatibis gigantea
The Giant Ibis is Cambodia’s National Bird and with an estimated population of less than 300 animals, one of the rarest birds on this planet. ACCB serves as a rescue facility for this species. As the Giant Ibis is facing extinction, the establishment of a captive assurance population of Giant Ibis is one of the most important goals at ACCB.
White-shouldered Ibis Pseudibis davisoni
ACCB serves as a rescue facility for the White-shouldered Ibis. As this species is highly endangered and their prime habitat is continuously degrading, ACCB is working towards establishing a conservation breeding program for this species.
Furthermore, ACCB participates in the annual White-shouldered Ibis census in North-eastern Cambodia.
Sunda Pangolin Manis javanica
ACCB has a dedicated pangolin facility and serves as one of only two potential rescue facilities for Sunda Pangolins in Cambodia.
Southern River Terrapin Batagur affinis
ACCB collaborates with Cambodia’s Fisheries Administration and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) on the conservation of the Southern River Terrapin- the National
Reptile of Cambodia and one of the rarest turtles in the world. ACCB houses a captive assurance population and is working towards establishing a conservation breeding program for this species in the near future.
Red-headed Vulture Sarcogyps calvus, Slender-billed Vulture Gyps tenuirostris and White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis
Cambodia’s three resident vulture species have undergone a significant decline in the last decades. ACCB is a core member of the Cambodian Vulture Conservation Project and participates in nest searching and anti-poisoning activities.
Bengal Florican Houbaropsis bengalensis
ACCB collaborates with Cambodia’s Ministry of Environment and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) on the conservation of the Bengal Florican. ACCB houses a captive assurance population and oversees the ex-situ management project for the species.
Elongated Tortoise Indotestudo elongata and Giant Asian Pond Turtle Heosemys grandis
ACCB houses a captive assurance population and conservation breeding program for this species founded with individuals rescued from the illegal trade.
Yellow-headed Temple Turtle Heosemys annandalii
ACCB houses a captive assurance population and is working towards establishing a conservation breeding program for this species in the near future.
Asian Giant Softshell Turtle Pelochelys cantorii and Big-headed Turtle Platysternon megacephallum
ACCB serves as a rescue and rehabilitation facility for these species.
Where We Work
ACCB is working in the Kingdom of Cambodia, with its main focus area and the centre’s location within Phnom Kulen National Park, around 50 Km North of Siem Reap Town and the World Heritage Site of Angkor.
Beyond that, ACCB carries out field conservation activities in North-eastern Cambodia in Stung Treng and Ratanakiri Provinces, as well as in the Tonlé Sap Floodplain in Banteay Meanchey Province.
Photo Credits
Featured image: Peter Yuen