British conservationist Dr Jenny Daltry honoured in Cambodia
Last updated 01/02/2010 09:25:43
British conservationist Dr Jenny Daltry honoured in Cambodia
A British conservationist has been honoured for her work in Cambodia , which has resulted in increased protection of forested areas and the re-discovery of a crocodile species thought to be extinct in the wild.
The Cambodian government has awarded Dr Jenny Daltry, the title of Officer of the Order of Sahemetrei, given to foreigners for their "distinguished services to the King and to the Nation."
Dr Daltry has worked as Senior Conservation Biologist for British- based international conservation organisation Fauna & Flora International for 15 years.
Much of her time has been spent in Cambodia, where she led a number of field expeditions that resulted in the increased protection of forested areas covering more than 1,000,000 hectares in the Cardamom Mountains.
In 2000, Dr Daltry re-discovered the Siamese crocodile and subsequently spearheaded a pioneering community-based programme to conserve this critically endangered reptile.
The country has an incredible diversity of wildlife and contains many of the richest habitats remaining in the Mekong Basin. Yet because the Pol Pot regime largely wiped out the educated classes, Cambodia lacks enough qualified practitioners to manage its wildlife and help it to develop sustainably. So Dr Daltry has led a ground-breaking initiative to establish a new generation of Cambodian scientists.
"I am overwhelmed and grateful," she said. "Cambodia is changing fast, but economic development does not have to mean the loss of its wildlife or priceless environmental services. The achievement I feel most proud of is helping talented Cambodians, from the government ministries to villages, to become leaders in biodiversity conservation and sustainable use."
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