A pair of greater adjutants at the Siem Reap province’s Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity (ACCB) have successfully raised two chicks. ACCB
While Cambodia’s population of greater adjutant storks remains critically low, at just 750. There has been a welcome development at Siem Reap province’s Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity (ACCB). Two chicks which were born at the centre have fledged and are learning to spread their wings.
ACCB described the successful rearing of the pair as a conservation milestone.
“Our pair of greater adjutants have successfully raised two chicks, which are now able to fly. This is a significant achievement that demonstrates our ongoing efforts to conserve this amazing species,” said the ACCB.
ACCB explained that the global population of the rare birds is estimated to be between just 3,180 and 3,300 individuals. Of these, approximately 750 are found in Cambodia. Therefore, continued conservation efforts for this species are extremely important.
The parents had attempted breeding before. In 2023 and 2024, ACCB witnessed successful nesting attempts, but unfortunately, the chicks did not survive.
These past experiences revealed the challenges involved in captive breeding. Inexperienced parents — often birds rescued from illegal wildlife trafficking — typically struggle to care for their young because they lack essential parenting skills learned in the wild.
The two chicks are now learning to fl. Eventually, they will be released into the wild. ACCB
The recently fledged chicks remain under the care of their parents. With support from the government and ACCB's conservation partners, they will eventually be released into protected areas in Cambodia to help stabilise the species’ wild population. This release contributes significantly to Cambodia’s conservation role for this species.
In 2023, the conservation status of the greater adjutant was updated on the IUCN Red List, moving it from “Endangered” to “Near Threatened.” This reclassification reflects the success of conservation efforts which have led to population increases in both Cambodia and northeastern India.
The Greater Adjutant is found in Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, but breeding populations only exist in India and Cambodia. The majority of the global population is concentrated in these two countries.
Their natural habitat includes seasonally flooded forests, wetlands and dry deciduous forests. The largest nesting colony in Southeast Asia — and the second largest in the world after Assam, India — is located in the Prek Toal Ramsar site in the Tonle Sap Lake region of Cambodia.
The breeding season runs from November to April, during which they lay between two and four eggs. After breeding at Tonle Sap, they migrate with their chicks to various other wetlands in Cambodia and nearby countries in search of food and shelter.
Major threats to the species include hunting, egg poaching, the wildlife trade, habitat loss and human disturbance, according to the Ministry of Environment.
