Tragically it is getting mighty close to checkout time for a number of diminishing species in Cambodia, and extinction may be the only fate awaiting some as the country's forest habitat continues to disappear. Very little is known about the exact numbers of most rare animals because their habitats are extremely remote and limited surveys have only been undertaken in recent years.

Given that much of the country has been off limits for such a long time, some suggest Cambodia harbours animals that have become extinct elsewhere in the region. For the moment it remains conjecture, but as the national park system becomes more effective, hopefully whatever is out there will at least be protected. The kouprey (wild ox) and the Wroughton's free-tailed bat, previously thought to exist in only one part of India but recently discovered in Preah Vihear Province, are the only Cambodian mammals on the Globally Threatened - Critical list, the last stop before extinction. The discovery of an isolated herd of Javan rhinoceroses, one of the rarest large mammal species in the world, in southwestern Vietnam in 1998, suggests that there could be more in nearby Mondulkiri or Ratanakiri Provinces, although there is no evi­dence to substantiate this.

Other mammals under threat in Cambodia include the Asian elephant, Asian golden cat, Asiatic wild dog, black gibbon, clouded leopard, fish­ing cat, marbled cat, sun bear and wild water buffalo.

There is a large number of rare bird species in Cambodia, drawn to the area by its rich water resources throughout the year. Larger birds include: the Asian openbill stork, greater adjuntant stork, giant ibis and Spot-billed pelican. As well as the aforementioned Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary, serious twitchers should consider a visit to Ang Trapeng Thmor  Reserve, home to the extremely rare sarus crane, as depicted on the bas-reliefs at Angkor. Other rare birds include the greater spotted eagle, Siamese fireback and spot-bellied eagle owl.

Cambodia has some of the last remaining freshwater Irrawaddy dol­phins, known as trey pisaut in Khmer. There may be as few as 75 left, inhabiting stretches of the Mekong between Kratie and the Lao border, and viewing them at Kampi is a popular activity. The giant catfish, sometimes reaching 5m in length, is also threatened, due to its popularity on menus from Hong Kong to Tokyo.