Mountain imperial pigeons rescued from poacher’s net

Rangers from the Sun Bear Station (Veal Pi) saved and released two Mountain imperial pigeons (Ducula badia) that were trapped in a poacher’s bird net in the Cardamom Rainforest. After freeing the birds, the rangers dismantled the trapping system and issued the hunter a formal warning.

Bird netting is a common practice in Koh Kong, a coastal province in western Cambodia that is a critical stop for migratory birds. Hunters create a wall out of thin black nets which covers hundreds of meters. To attract the birds, hunters use mature male pigeons to attract other birds with their calls. Another more costly strategy is to use electronic devices made of a speaker, a car CD player and a car battery. The chirping is played over and over again. This method is used mostly at night time, far from roads and community areas and it’s incredible effectiveness has devastating results.

Wildlife Alliance rangers dismantle thousands of meters of bird nets every year.