In Cambodia, there are remained rarest wild animals throughout her evergreen forest. Among these rarest wild animals, Kouprey, aka gray ox or Cambodian forest ox, is considered to be an endangered one. This kind of wild animal was discovered only in Cambodia in 1937 by natural scientists. It lived in northern forest of Cambodia in the province of Preah Vihear, Stung Treng, Rattanakiri, Mondulkiri, etc. According to Microsoft Encarta 2009, the appearance of Kouprey is seen as:
“…a large, ox-like animal, slightly smaller and more slender than the gaur. A full-grown Kouprey is about 2.4 m (8 ft) long with a tail 1.2 m (4 ft) long. A bull typically stands about 1.6 m (5.5 ft) high at the shoulder.
The Kouprey has a short, close, grayish or brownish black coat. Its tail ends in a tassel of long hairs. Both bulls and cows have a well-developed dewlap hanging from their necks and horns that project outward from the head, sweeping forward and upward. The horn spread of a bull may be as wide as 76 cm (30 in). The outer horn of the adult male has an opening about 13 cm (5 in) from its tip that exposes the tip of an inner horn. This inner horn is surrounded at its base by a cuff of shredded horn fibers….”
Since the local wars for the last few decades ago occurred, Kouprey living in the forest was believed to be killed by bombs and hunting. Its number was believed to decrease quickly as Mekong dolphin in Kratie Province from thousands to less number. Until now, there is no clear data about its number in the evergreen forest of Cambodia. Some people thought that Kouprey was lost from the world since no one could rarely see this wild animal. However, there is no evidence whether Kouprey remained in Cambodian forest or lost. Actually, Kouprey is an interesting wild animal for either Cambodian residents or foreigners. If it is still existed, it will be the good opportunity for Cambodia to attract more tourists and Royal Government of Cambodia must take immediate actions to conserve this rarest wild animal. Finally, there is a hope that Kouprey still survives and lives in the evergreen forest of Cambodia as other rarest animals under conservation. “Join together to protect all the world rarest animals through possible actions!” “Everything has a life, let’s them survive!”
By: POK Panhavuth
