With a population of fewer than 70 breeding adults, the graceful, fish-eating River Tern has nearly disappeared from Cambodia. It lays its nest on the sandbars and beaches of the Mekong River and tributaries, where the eggs and chicks are vulnerable to a myriad of threats, including humans, rats and other predators, and hydropower dams.


In the past, local people harvesting eggs were the main threat to the nests. However, a nest protection program that I started in 2008 (now managed by WWF) has nearly eliminated this threat, as local people have increasingly been recruited to help protect these birds, rather than eating their eggs.

Now, predation by rats is one of the main threats to the vulnerable nests and chicks. Constructing fences around the nests to keep out rats and other predators has increased the survival rates of eggs and chicks 10-fold. As a result, the River Tern population is finally increasing!


A lot of the credit for the success of this program goes to local community members living along the Mekong River who (along with fishing and farming) are involved in protecting River Tern nests. In particular, Phoeun Meak -- an extremely dedicated community conservationist -- has protected nearly 200 River Tern nests over the past 10 years. Phoeun, along with some of his family members, have unofficially taken on the roles of nest protection trainers for newer community nest protectors. Importantly, they have delivered fencing materials to dozens of other nest protectors and trained them in how to install the fencing and monitor the nests. 


At times, Phoeun has spent his own money, as well as countless unpaid hours to do River Tern nest protection, fence installation, training, and community education about the importance of protecting River Terns. Phoeun is a subsistence-level farmer and fisherman, and this is no small burden! He deserves to be reimbursed for his expenses and fairly compensated for his time. However, funding for the program is scarce and I no longer have the necessary funding to buy the fence materials and reimburse Phoeun for his costs for delivering fence materials and training other nest protectors.

I've spent 15 years working toward conserving River Terns in Cambodia. I'm honored to know and work with Phoeun to protect these beautiful birds. The fate of the River Tern may well rest in his hands. In turn, the ability of Phoeun to do this important work rests in your hands...

So, I'm asking for your help to please support this cause! 100% of your contribution will go directly towards buying, transporting, and installing the nest fences. Your contribution will help protect this fragile, but increasing population of River Terns and will also help support the livelihood of an incredibly dedicated local community nest protector.

Thanks so much for your support!
-Andrea

Andrea Claassen, PhD
Wildife Biologist

P.S. You can read more about River Terns in Cambodia, and my and Phoeun Meak's efforts to protect them, at:
https://www.audubon.org/news/in-cambodia-dams-pose-looming-threat-resurging-river-tern

Clockwise from bottom: Pich, Phoeun, Attoua, Bunthoeun, Laom, Andrea, Ea.