Conservationists have released a female Greater Adjutant Stork into the wild in Siem Pang Wildlife Sanctuary (SPWS), marking the second-ever release of captive-bred birds in Cambodia.
The bird was released earlier last week following a four-week acclimatisation period in a large soft-release enclosure within the sanctuary. The period allowed her to become familiar with her surroundings before being given access to the wild. Her older brother and sister, released in 2025, continue to be monitored and are adapting well to life in the wild.
The female stork is the third offspring successfully raised by a breeding pair at the Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity (ACCB). Captive breeding of this species is challenging, with only a handful of facilities worldwide having achieved some success. ACCB cares for seven Greater Adjutants, all rescued from the wildlife trade.
The release marks a significant achievement in Greater Adjutant conservation. The species is listed as Near Threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), although global wild populations appear to be increasing.
In Cambodia, the species breeds around Tonle Sap and moves seasonally to feeding grounds in Siem Pang Wildlife Sanctuary. Historically, Greater Adjutants were persecuted because of their scavenging behaviour and association with carrion and waste. They continue to face threats from overhunting, disease and habitat destruction.
Rising Phoenix, which manages the 133,000-hectare wildlife sanctuary, built the acclimatisation enclosure used for the release. Its dedicated field staff will protect the bird from poachers and help monitor her as she adapts to life in the sanctuary.
Conservationists from ACCB and Rising Phoenix are monitoring the stork remotely using a GPS satellite tracker.
- Tags: endangered species, Siem Pang Wildlife Sanctuary
