Awesome New Gecko Species Discovered in Cambodia

To find out more on the discovery of the gecko, information on the Cardamom Mountains, and all about FFI, check out this site.

By Heidi Marshall

Lately, it seems the news has been plagued with nothing but bad reports. Endangered species are on the decline, animals aren’t getting the protection they need. Fortunately, most clouds at least have a silver lining.

Members of the conservation group Fauna and Flora International (FFI) discovered a new gecko species in the foothills of the Cardamom Mountains. The gecko was named Cnemaspis neangthyi, after the head of FFI’s Cardamom Mountains Research Group, Neang Thy.

The Cardamom Mountains are home to quite the variety of plants and animals, many of which have endangered or threatened status. Although much of the area is still untouched, the wild inhabitants still face the wrath of poaching, illegal logging, forest fires and so forth. Some of the species you might come across in these mountains include Asian Elephants, Malayan Sun Bears, and Humpback Dolphins.

It certainly sounds like a fascinating place, though it may not stay that way for long. According to Thy:

“There are likely many more species to be discovered in the Cardamom Mountains.” … “Maybe this will also help to involve Cambodian people more in the conservation of species, landscapes and habitats. If we do not do this, many animals in Cambodia may soon become extinct and we will not be able to show them to our children.”