AKP Phnom Penh, February 26, 2026 -- Conservationists have discovered the third nest of the critically endangered Royal Turtle in southwestern Cambodia, signaling a promising start to 2026 for a species once feared extinct in the wild.

A joint research team from the Fisheries Administration (FiA) and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) found the nest on Feb. 25 along the Anlong Trang sandbank of the Kampong Leu canal, part of the Sre Ambel river system. The nest contained 25 eggs.

To ensure maximum survival rates, the team has relocated the eggs to a secure incubation site where they will be monitored until hatching.

The discovery marks a significant rebound for the species’ breeding activity. While two nests were recorded in 2024, no nests were found during the 2025 season. The three nests identified so far in early 2026 suggest a strengthening ecological health within the Sre Ambel system, which spans Koh Kong and Preah Sihanouk provinces.

"The return of nesting activity in these natural habitats is a vital indicator of the health of the Sre Ambel ecosystem," officials said in a statement.

The Royal Turtle (Batagur affinis) holds significant cultural and legal importance in Cambodia. It was designated a national symbol by Royal Decree in 2005, is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List and under CITES Appendix I, and has been strictly protected under Cambodian law since 2009.

The Sre Ambel river system remains the only known habitat in Cambodia where the Royal Turtle still lives and breeds in the wild. 

Since 2000, the FiA and WCS, in collaboration with local authorities and fishing communities, have spearheaded a rigorous conservation programme.

Efforts include habitat restoration, strict law enforcement against poaching, community education, and a "head-starting" programme where eggs are hatched in captivity and juveniles are later released back into the wild to ensure the long-term sustainability of the species.

By K. Rithy Reak