The number of River Terns in the Mekong River in Cambodia has increased by almost 130 percent in the past seven years, according to a report by WWF Cambodia.
The survey, which was conducted between February and April 2023, found that there are now 71 River Terns living in the country, up from just 31 in 2016.
The report, which was led by WWF's Mekong Flooded Forest team and joined by local community members, said that the species had been uplisted to Vulnerable on the IUCN’s Red List and is one of the rare bird species in Southeast Asia.
In Cambodia, the bird population suffered a serious decline with more than 80 percent decrease during the past 20 years mainly due to human activities, WWF Cambodia said, adding that the current survey result is evidence that the bird population has started to recover, raising hope for the species' conservation in Cambodia and the world.
The birds and hatchlings are currently occupying 31 nests, which are under the safeguard by the local communities living adjacent to the habitat areas along the Mekong in Kratie and Stung Treng provinces.
