The GPDS (Global Park Defense System) anti-poaching unit uses motion detecting trail cameras to monitor for people illegally entering the protected forest and are able to intervene immediately when the cameras send live updates.

The camera alerted the team at 12:38 AM, showing a picture of a man on a motorbike coming out of the forest. The rangers immediately went to investigate but when the offender saw the rangers he abandoned his motorbike, threw his bag, and disappeared into the forest. The Ministry of Environment (MOE) Officers on the GPDS team found the poacher’s bag and found it contained a Critically Endangered Sunda pangolin (9kg). The animal was brought to the GPDS Station for medical inspection and was released next day inside the Southern Cardamom National Park. The MOE officials are continuing the investigation to identify the owner of the abandoned motorbike. If he is caught, he will face years in prison for wildlife trafficking of a Critically Endangered species.