Large-Spotted Civet Population Plummets in Cambodian Sanctuary
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A decade-long study in Cambodia's Srepok Wildlife Sanctuary (SWS) found the population density of the endangered large-spotted civet declined by 75-95%. Researchers project the species could be extirpated from the sanctuary by 2034, with increased snaring cited as the main driver of wildlife decline. In contrast, the population of the large Indian civet in the same area tripled during the study period.
Facts First
- Large-spotted civet density fell by 75-95% in Srepok Wildlife Sanctuary between 2009 and 2019.
- Population models project potential extirpation from the sanctuary by 2034.
- Indiscriminate snaring increased significantly and is cited as the main driver of wildlife decline.
- Large Indian civet population in the same sanctuary tripled during the study period.
- The large-spotted civet is an endangered small carnivore found in Southeast Asian forests.
What Happened
A study published in Pacific Conservation Biology analyzed camera-trap data from Cambodia’s Srepok Wildlife Sanctuary (SWS) spanning a decade from 2009 to 2019. During this period, the estimated density of the endangered large-spotted civet fell from approximately 9 individuals per 100 square kilometers to fewer than 1 per 100 km². The study authors stated that indiscriminate snaring increased significantly and became the main driver of wildlife decline. In contrast, the population density of the large Indian civet in the same sanctuary increased from 2 to 7 individuals per 100 km².
Why this Matters to You
The decline of a unique species like the large-spotted civet represents a loss of global biodiversity, which may affect the resilience of ecosystems that provide clean air, water, and other services. The study's findings highlight how specific conservation threats, like snaring, can push a species toward local extinction even within a protected sanctuary. This could signal a need for more effective wildlife protection measures in the region, which may influence conservation funding and policy decisions.
What's Next
Population models project the large-spotted civet could be extirpated from the Srepok Wildlife Sanctuary by 2034 if current trends continue. The contrasting success of the large Indian civet, which breeds year-round and produces larger litters, suggests that species with different life histories may respond differently to the same pressures. Conservation efforts may need to focus urgently on reducing snaring to prevent the large-spotted civet's disappearance from this key habitat.