Cambodia is home to the region’s last remaining wild population of hog deer. Environment ministry/WWF Cambodia
A 10-year action plan (2025-2035) aimed at strengthening the conservation and restoration of hog deer in Cambodia is currently being drafted.
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The plan seeks to prevent the extinction of the species in the Kingdom, following its eradication in neighbouring countries and the wider region.
The Ministry of Environment announced the development of the plan on December 24.
Hog deer (axis porcinus), a small brown deer, are listed as “endangered” on the IUCN Red List.
According to the Ministry, only around 100 remain in Cambodia, primarily located in the Prek Prasab Wildlife Sanctuary in Kratie province and other protected areas in Koh Kong province.
WWF-Cambodia explained that hog deer are a “charismatic” mammal species that once populated Southeast Asia's wetlands and humid grasslands.
The organisation warned, however, that “pressure from habitat loss, fragmentation and poaching have driven wild hog deer to extinction in Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and China”.
It added that they were believed extinct in Cambodia, too, until the discovery of subpopulations in Kratie in 2006 and Koh Kong in 2008 signalled a beacon of hope for their survival.
Through ongoing surveys of Kratie’s population since 2020, WWF-Cambodia has confirmed that less than 100 individuals remain.
“We need urgent action to keep them from disappearing for good,” it said, via a social media post.
The organisation emphasised the urgency of immediate measures to prevent the species’ extinction in Cambodia. Collaborative efforts are underway between the environment ministry and partner organisations, with a focus on conservation strategies and additional action plans.
The ministry, in partnership with WWF-Cambodia, held a consultative workshop on December 23 in Siem Reap province.
The workshop, titled “Action Plan for the Conservation and Restoration of hog deer 2025-2035”, included participation from ministry officials, representatives from provincial authorities in Kratie, technical departments, community groups and partner organisations.
During the workshop, Srey Sunleang, director-general of the ministry’s General Directorate of Natural Protected Areas, noted that the action plan aligns with the objectives of Cambodia’s Environmental Strategic Plan 2023-2028.
It represents a long-term strategy to protect endangered species and preserve Cambodia’s valuable natural heritage.
“This action plan also aligns with Cambodia’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, reinforcing the government’s commitment to preserving biodiversity, such as hog deer and their habitats. Importantly, the restoration programme ensures the long-term genetic preservation of this species,” he said.
