Khao Yai is Thailand’s oldest national park. PeunPa works inside Khao Yai and with the adjacent communities to protect the park’s wildlife. The Surviving Together pilot project was launched in Khao Yai in December 1999. Since then, levels of poaching in Khao Yai have been dramatically reduced.

PeunPa assisted the establishment of the Nature Protection Training Center at Khao Yai. PeunPa’s direct action work in the park is now focused on wildlife monitoring and community outreach. With the support of the Smithsonian Institution, PeunPa is helping park staff better monitor and manage wildlife through initiatives such as the Carnivore Conservation Project, which monitors the population health of indicator species.

PeunPa is also active in surrounding villages, ensuring locals do not need to poach protected wildlife or illegally harvest timber from the park for income. PeunPa provides direct training and support in sustainable small-scale agricultural development, environmental education and ecotourism, to make a real difference in people’s lives and emphasize the value of biodiversity.

Preah Monivong (Bokor) National Park spans four provinces in southern Cambodia, making its management and protection a serious challenge. PeunPa has been providing training and support to Bokor staff since December 2000.

PeunPa was a leading advocate for the establishment of the National Protected Areas Training Center at Bokor, and oversees much of the ranger training there. PeunPa trains the best local staff to become instructors, developing ongoing training capacity. Rangers trained at the centre are applying their skills to protect wildlife in park areas throughout Cambodia.

Equipped with expertise gained in PeunPa facilitated training courses, Bokor’s rangers are showing greater commitment and effectiveness – evident in higher apprehension and confiscation figures. Bokor has adopted PeunPa’s rotational ranger patrol system, which increases the area and frequency of patrol coverage.

PeunPa’s educational and economic community outreach programs in and around Bokor include community environment seminars and meetings, the establishment of plant nurseries, reforestation and sustainable energy initiatives. These programs were crucial in overcoming the hostility and resentment local villagers held towards park staff, and forging more constructive links.