PHNOM PENH: Nine forest rangers from the Kratie Provincial Department of Environment were poisoned after consuming wild mushrooms during a forest patrol in the “Prey Lang” Wildlife Sanctuary in Kratie Province on Wednesday (May 13).
The Ministry of Environment announced on May 14 that all nine officers were sent to the Kratie Provincial Referral Hospital for emergency treatment. As of May 14, four officers had recovered, while the remaining five were still receiving treatment at the hospital.
“Today, May 14, our officers are out of life-threatening danger,” it said.
The ministry noted that, in efforts to increase forest cover, strengthen law enforcement, and protect and conserve natural resources, rangers are required to patrol deep forest areas where they frequently face natural hazards, confront offenders and encounter various diseases.
Officials check on the welfare of a forest ranger who is recovering from a bout of poisoning caused by eating wild mushrooms while on patrol. Environment ministry
More than 1,000 Cambodian environmental rangers nationwide demonstrate their determination and sacrifice by cooperating with ministries, relevant institutions, sub-national administrations, law enforcement agencies, partner organisations, civil society groups and local communities to patrol and suppress forestry and wildlife crimes, it said.
Rangers are responsible for patrolling 73 protected natural areas nationwide, which cover more than 7 million hectares.
In the first four months of 2026 alone, rangers conducted 4,048 patrols and busted 718 natural resource crime cases. In addition to enforcement, the rangers also worked with local communities on educational outreach and tree planting to restore forests.
The ministry has provided them with equipment such as drones and GPS systems to improve patrol effectiveness. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
