Cambodia Bets on Indian Tigers to Revive Lost Apex Predator

Cambodia is preparing for an ambitious conservation effort to reintroduce Bengal tigers from India, nearly a decade after the species was declared extinct within the country. This initiative follows a 2022 agreement between India and Cambodia to restore tiger populations.

The planned release site is Kravanh National Park in the Cardamom Mountains. However, significant concerns remain about the feasibility of this project.

Conservationists question whether the Cardamom Mountains can support a viable tiger population due to insufficient prey. A 2020 study indicated a less than 25% probability that the area could sustain 25 adult tigers. Poaching and habitat degradation from logging and hydropower development also pose serious threats.

Additionally, the plan involves introducing Bengal tigers from India, a different subspecies than the Indochinese tigers that historically inhabited Cambodia. The project, estimated to cost US $43 million over five years, is still seeking funding, with no animals moved by the time of reporting. A soft-release strategy and community outreach programs are planned to mitigate human-wildlife conflict.