Home

10%

Wings of Change

How One Rare Nest Reshaped a Family

By WCS Cambodia

Deep in Cambodia's Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary, a family of nine is a testament to the power of grassroots conservation. Phai Nai, an Indigenous Bunong woman, is spiritually and culturally connected to her environment.

Her life took a significant turn when she spotted a critically endangered Giant Ibis perched atop a tree in its nest near her home. Nai's fascination with the rare bird and conversations with her husband, Tuon Sokhun, began their journey into conservation.

Sokhun, knowledgeable about the species through his involvement with the WCS Wildlife Monitoring Team, immediately recognized the importance of his wife's discovery. He reports the sighting, leading the WCS team to confirm the area as a critical nesting site for the Giant Ibis and Lesser Adjutant based on previous surveys in the area.

This discovery yet again initiated WCS Cambodia's bird nest protection program, designed to engage communities in conservation while offering direct cash payments.

Tuon Sokhun and Phai Nai near the nesting site. © Chanrachna Teck/WCS Cambodia

"Before, I didn’t know the importance of endangered wildlife species or the benefit of protecting them."

Phai Nai, Nest Protector

WCS Cambodia's Wildlife Monitoring Team en route to the Giant Ibis nest. © Sot Vandoeun | WCS Cambodia

The program offers a $15 cash reward for discovering and reporting nests. Additionally, those who become guardians of these nests receive a daily wage of $4.5. On the successful maturation and departure of chicks from the nest, an additional $10 is provided. This program has provided Phai Nai and her husband with a sustainable income source, enabling them to play a vital role in wildlife conservation.

Since 2021, as guardians, Phai Nai and Tuon Sokhun have shown exceptional dedication. They monitor the nest twice daily, maintaining a safe distance of 100 to 150 meters to avoid disturbing the wildlife. Their vigilance extends to reporting harmful activities in the vicinity, like logging or poaching. Phai Nai's perspective has shifted profoundly.

She shares, "I will immediately report to the park ranger if any logging or poaching activities occur in this nesting area. Before, I didn’t know the importance of endangered wildlife species or the benefit of protecting them. I greatly admire their existence and am thrilled to see populations growing."

Tuon Sokhun and Phai Nai spot the nest in a tree 150m away. © Chanrachna Teck/WCS Cambodia

“It’s gratifying to see increased understanding of our work. Community and partner support are essential for effectively protecting the Giant Ibis.”

Vandoeun Sot, WCS Cambodia Wildlife Monitoring Coordinator

Wings of Change

The program's impact on the community extends beyond financial benefits. During the nesting season, Phai Nai and her husband earn more than $250 each month, significantly improving their family's quality of life and allowing them to provide better education for their children. Their involvement in eco-tourism, guiding bird-watching tours with Sam Veasna Conservation Tours, exemplifies the multifaceted benefits of conservation efforts.

This supplements their income, promotes sustainable tourism, and fosters a broader appreciation of their natural heritage. WCS's partnership with various governmental bodies has been pivotal in biodiversity conservation. The program, which expanded to the Keo Seima REDD+ project area in 2017, has notably increased the number of Lesser Adjutant nests from 11 in 2018 to 41 in 2023, demonstrating its effectiveness in enhancing community engagement and awareness in conservation efforts.

Vandoeun Sot, WCS Cambodia's Wildlife Monitoring Coordinator, emphasizes the critical role of collective action in preserving endangered species. This vision aligns with global environmental challenges, highlighting the need for community-driven approaches to ensure the survival of these species and the well-being of local communities.

The story of Phai Nai's family illustrates a practical yet profound transformation through their role as nest guardians. Their income from protecting the rare Ibis nest enabled them to improve their family’s living conditions and educate their children, showing a direct link between environmental stewardship and personal well-being. This experience highlights how sustainable practices in the forest aid conservation efforts and offer viable livelihoods, underlining the interconnectedness of ecological health and community prosperity.

About the Program

Stories like Phai Nai's encounter with the Giant Ibis catalyzed WCS Cambodia’s expansion of its bird nest protection program in 2017 to the Eastern Plains, building on the foundational work started by the WCS in 2002.

In collaboration, USAID Morodok Baitang, the General Department of Administration for Nature Conservation and Protection (GDANCP) of the Ministry of Environment (MoE) and the Forestry Administration of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) initiated a program of direct cash payments for biodiversity conservation in the Northern Plains.

The program was designed to rapidly protect the remnant wildlife populations while complementing longer-term activities meant to strengthen institutions for environmental protection, such as protected areas, and clarifying land tenure and resource management rights for local people.

Footnotes

⦿ Story written by Chanrachna Teck of WCS Cambodia ⦿ Giant Ibis video and photos taken by Vandoeun Sot of WCS Cambodia.

FootNotes

⦿ Story written by Chanrachna Teck of WCS Cambodia ⦿ Giant Ibis video and photos taken by Vandoeun Sot of WCS Cambodia.

© 2026 WCS Cambodia

Loading, please hold on.