Current view: Text account
Site description (2003 baseline):
Site location and context
The IBA is located to the north-east of Stung/Chi Kreng/Kampong Svay Grasslands IBA (KH016), and comprises an area of deciduous dipterocarp forest, interspersed with patches of seasonally inundated grassland, seasonal pools and streams. The IBA is one of the only currently known non-breeding areas for Bengal Florican Houbaropsis bengalensis in Cambodia. The species visits the site when its breeding areas in the inundation zone of Tonle Sap Lake are flooded. In addition, the wetland habitats at the IBA are used as a feeding area by a number of large waterbird species, including Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala, Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus, Asian Openbill Anastomus oscitans and Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus.
Regionally significant species such as Woolly-necked Stork (12 birds recorded in 2002) and Asian Openbill (27 birds recorded in 2002).
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Threats to biodiversity at the IBA have yet to be evaluated in detail. However, one of the major threats is thought to be opportunistic hunting of birds by local people fishing with spotlights at night, during the wet season. Bengal Floricans were at least formerly targeted by some hunters in this IBA.
Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
Recommendations Law enforcement and community awareness activities should be initiated based on the successful model at Stung Sen/Santuk/Baray IBA (KH021). These should focus on controlling the hunting and trade of key species, particularly Bengal Floricans and large waterbirds and the potential benefits to local communities
IBA overlaps with Beng Per Wildlife Sanctuary
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Stung / Prasat Balang (Cambodia). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/stung--prasat-balang-iba-cambodia on 23/11/2024.
