Juvenile male silver pheasant caught during trapping survey.

In spring 2004, a preliminary study funded by a Rufford Small Grant was undertaken in part of the Cardamom

Mountain Range to start developing the methods to increase our knowledge, and at the same time provide more information on the status of the chestnut-headed partridge and other galliform species, and the threats they face. Although this work was preparatory in nature, a range of important information emerged. In addition, it provided clear direction for the development of a research programme designed to underpin the conservation of the country’s Galliformes.

To supplement this preliminary information, this project was established to contribute towards a national programme that will help achieve the targets of the threatened species’ IUCN/WPA Conservation Action Plans and will collect information on the status, distribution and threats faced by all galliform species. It is hoped that this information will be used to develop species conservation actions plans, lobby Government and other stakeholders to improve wildlife protection legislation and enforcement, and develop an educational programme to improve public awareness about galliform conservation. This work is likely to take a number of years to complete and will be undertaken in a modular format. The national programme, known as the Cambodian Galliformes Conservation Programme (CGCP), has the objective of providing sound scientific information on threats and their mitigation, and enhancing the field skills of a cadre of motivated Cambodian biologists. It is hoped that the work will develop an education programme and produce educational material about galliform conservation and legislation for circulation within rural communities and undertake visits to schools. Ultimately it will develop a recovery plan with local people, partner organisations and the Cambodian government for all galliform species that will have the aim of removing those that are threatened from the IUCN Red List.