FrontLines-EGAT 2011 Environment Photo Contest Top Entry (5842272875)

This woman holding a giant ibis shows how “the community has become a partner in nature conservation and has begun to actively protect the ibis species,” According to a case study of the Tmatboey Community-based Ecotourism Project in Cambodia. The ibis fell from its nest and the woman pictured nursed it back to health. She planned to release it at the local pond here in Preah Vihear, where giant ibis congregate daily. The rare and critically endangered giant ibis is the national bird of Cambodia with only an estimated 100 pairs remaining.