Posted on August, 01 2025

At all hours of the day and night, a team of researchers, rangers and community members explored Sambo Wildlife Sanctuary’s forests in search of understudied reptiles and amphibians. During weeks of scouting diverse habitats, the team pursued more than snake, frog and lizard sightings; they also sought out meaningful partnerships to advance scientific knowledge and locally-led conservation.

Sambo Wildlife Sanctuary, meaning “plentiful” or “abundant” in Khmer, has a name that reflects its rich biodiversity. This new protected area was established only seven years ago, and recent extensions in 2023 now provide shelter to countless species, many of which have yet to be studied. Since 2018, WWF-Cambodia and the Biodiversity Inventory for Conservation (BINCO) have undertaken research to document the sanctuary’s biodiversity for the benefit of local communities and conservation efforts.

Read the full story of collaborative research efforts in Kratie province by downloading the PDF.