SternAAlbifrons wrote:Anyway, we (all) got good outcome.
Who is in Siam Reap?
- any chance of getting over to The Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity (ACCB) to give us a report on how "our" birds are doing?
Please.

SternAAlbifrons wrote: ↑Sun Mar 29, 2020 3:55 am Great photos and find Andy.
I am not a hunter myself but i can understand those that do. (sometimes!)

These are not native hawks ^^ i looked them up when you first posted about them before - cant find the post now or the ID, but they are a Sth/central American species which are favoured for hunting.

There are some exceptions to legally keeping local birds captive here - for "merit freeing" eg. But i doubt it is legal to use native species, certainly not wild caught birds, for hunting.
Not sure what birds Khmer Hawk Master's use (see previous page). But probably all legal.
Maybe your friends ^^^ are members of this group.

To answer part of your question J57 - Raptors and all "power" animals are favoured by many khmer BigBoys as a status symbol. Keeping or eating them is a totemic way of absorbing their power.
Also just to be show-offs.
Some Khmers of all classes also like to keep birds and animals just because they like them. Pretty much the same as everywhere. Fortunately greater awareness in most civilised places about the cost to the animals, and to the species preservation, has greatly reduced this practice. Including in Cambodia. (except by the very rich/powerful. Ravensnest's Phnom Penh gibbons for example)
I could take a shot at USA for still allowing all kinds of animals to be kept by random individuals - but instead i will express my admiration for the interest and care that you show about wildlife in your post above.

It was a lucky escape for these two juvenile wreathed hornbills that were rescued last week by MoE - Wildlife Alliance rangers at Stung Proat station. We're glad to say that the hornbills are now with our team at our Wildlife Release Station where they can hopefully be released back into the wild. It's likely these hornbills were destined for the illegal pet trade, but they are also used in traditional medicine and as ornaments.

3 ways you can help save Cambodia's wildlife:

1. Do not eat wildlife or buy wildlife pets

2. Report wildlife crimes to our Wildlife Crime Hotline (through Facebook or call 012 500 094) and the Forestry Administration, Cambodia

3. Show your support on social media for the #StopEatingWildlife campaign