Later, they introduced Mr Casselman to
veterinarians Kim Haddad and Jennifer
Conrad. As a pioneer in animal welfare
causes, with experience around the world,
Dr Conrad has developed new veterinarian
surgical techniques. She and Dr Jim Jensvold
are the authors of the big cat "no
declaw bill" recently passed into
law in California. As such, the CWS was
extremely fortunate that Dr Conrad was
willing and anxious to train other veterinarians
and serve as the Project Director. She
and Dr Jensvold have worked tirelessly
together to assist in making this project
a reality.
Throughout this process, Michelle Rowan
and the Sharman Networks team from Sydney
Australia have provided countless hours
of time and expertise organizing and creating
this web site. As with all of our team,
their contribution has been immeasurable.
In addition to protecting
the land and the animals that still live
there, the plan evolved to create an "observation"
area where the abused and abandoned animals
that are spread across this region can be
allowed to live in peace. Further plans
evolved to employ, house and train veterinarians
from all over the world. Dr Conrad will
lead that unique effort. All the animals
that are capable of release into the wild
will be watched, cared for and then released
as appropriate.
The project design needs also
lead the CWS team to enlist the expertise
of Mr Will Travers of the Born Free Foundation
in London and renowned expert David Hancocks
of Melbourne Australia. Landscape architect
and designer Stuart Green (also of Australia)
was also retained and has developed the
design drawings of the Observation Area
which are now being developed for construction
to begin. Our most recent expert addition
is Dr Orville Ball, a renown limnologist
from Seattle Washington. He will guide our
efforts to create and maintain balanced
and biologically sound aquatic environments
throughout the sanctuary.
As part of this process, Mr
Casselman has been funding these activities.
Sok Hong facilitated communications with
the Cambodian government which lead to the
historic Project Agreement.
At the same time, he also contributed time
and funds toward development of the project
and maintaining staffing in Cambodia. With
his guidance, CWS has constructed its headquarters
on the Observation Sanctuary land and is
organizing and overseeing ongoing patrols.
The patrols are charged with the difficult
task of permanently stopping logging and
poaching in that area. However, soon the
Observation Sanctuary construction will
begin and eco-tourism will add financial
support for this important and desperately
needed project.
The Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary
(CWS) was formed in March 2004. The Cambodia
Wildlife Habitat Conservation, a Cambodian
Corporation, acts
in partnership with the Cambodian Wildlife
Sanctuary, a California Non Profit Corporation.
These entities are providing a joint effort
to develop the Observation and Conservation
Sanctuaries to permanently protect the rich
forest landscape of Cambodia and its diverse
population of wildlife.
CWS will be permanently funded
by environmentally responsible tourism and
attract attention and appreciation for the
habitat, wildlife and people of the Kingdom
of Cambodia.
Click here to find out more about the
sanctuary.
The Cambodian Wildlife
Sanctuary will employ up to 1000 Cambodians
by 2009.
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