Researchers in Cambodia find nest of rare riverine bird

July 20, 2017 at 11:23 a.m. | Updated July 20, 2017 at 11:35 a.m.

by Associated Press

In this undated photo provided by Wildlife Conservation Society, a Masked Finfoot sits on a nest in Preah Vihear Province, Cambodia. The New York-based Wildlife Conservation Society said in a statement on Thursday, July 20, 2017 that its researchers, along with conservationists from Environment Ministry and local residents, found a nest of Masked Finfoot, along the Memay river in the Kulen Promtep Wildlife Sanctuary in Cambodia's northern Preah Vihear Province. It said the site is the only confirmed breeding location in Cambodia for this very rare species. (Wildlife Conservation Society via AP)
In this undated photo provided by Wildlife Conservation Society, a Masked Finfoot sits on a nest in Preah Vihear Province, Cambodia. The New York-based Wildlife Conservation Society said in a statement on Thursday, July 20, 2017 that its researchers, along with conservationists from Environment Ministry and local residents, found a nest of Masked Finfoot, along the Memay river in the Kulen Promtep Wildlife Sanctuary in Cambodia's northern Preah Vihear Province. It said the site is the only confirmed breeding location in Cambodia for this very rare species. (Wildlife Conservation Society via AP)

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) - Wildlife researchers in Cambodia say they have found a breeding location for the masked finfoot bird, one of the world's most endangered, raising hopes of its continuing survival.

The New York-based Wildlife Conservation Society announced Thursday that its researchers, along with conservationists from Cambodia's Environment Ministry and residents along the Memay river in the Kulen Promtep Wildlife Sanctuary, have discovered the only confirmed breeding location in Cambodia for the very rare species.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature has the bird on its red list of global endangered species because its worldwide population of less than 1,000 is declining at an alarming rate. It is found only in Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

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