The sound of wildlife returning to Angkor Wat

This photo taken on July 7, 2022 shows macaque monkeys next to Bayon Temple in Angkor Park in Siem Reap province. - Decades after poachers hunted nearly all wildlife that habited the forests near Cambodia’s world heritage listed Angkor Wat temple, a joint conservation program is now bringing them back. (Photo by TANG CHHIN Sothy / AFP) / To go with AFP story ‘CAMBODIA-CONSERVATION-ENVIRONMENT-WILDLIFE,FEATURE’ by Suy SE

Siem Reap, Cambodia, Aug 2, 2022 (AFP) -Suy SE The melodic songs from families of endangered monkeys ring out over the jungle near Cambodia’s Angkor Wat temple complex -- a sign of ecological rejuvenation decades after hunting decimated wildlife at the site.

The first pair of rare pileated gibbons were released in 2013 as part of a joint programme between conservation group Wildlife Alliance, the forestry administration and the Apsara Authority -- a government agency that manages the 12th-century ruins.