Partridges, Quails, Francolins, Snowcocks, Guineafowl, and Turkeys

population is estimated at 100–1,000 individuals
(McGowan et al. 1995, P. Round in litt.).
Ecology: It is presumed resident in evergreen forest on
slopes and plateaux, and has also been recorded in open
areas (Delacour 1928, Engelbach 1938). It is generally
found in mountains from 700–1,400m in Thailand and on
plateaux up to 1,000m in Cambodia, although it has been
recorded down to 300–400m in the two countries,
respectively.
Threats: Large-scale, military-controlled logging is the
major threat in Cambodia, compounded by widespread,
uncontrolled hunting. Both Bokor and Kirirom National
Parks are subject to heavy logging, much of it clandestine,
which has affected an estimated 80% of Bokor (Poole
1999). Selective logging and small-scale forest encroachment
are the main threats in Thailand. Disturbance through
occasional dry season fires and perhaps the local avicultural
trade may be additional threats. Levels of hunting are high
in areas where the species occurs (Round 1988, P. Round
in litt.).
Conservation: The species is afforded full legal protection
in both Thailand and Cambodia. It occurs within Namtok
Phliu National Park and Khao Soi Dao Wildlife Sanctuary,
Thailand and Bokor, and probably Kirirom National
Parks in Cambodia, However, protected area status at the
latter two sites conveys very little effective protection.
Political instability and uncleared landmines have
precluded any conservation action within its range in
Cambodia (Poole 1999).
Targets:
• Conduct extensive surveys to establish its distribution,
status, and habitat requirements, especially along the
Cardomom chain north of Bokor in Cambodia.
• Monitor the Khao Soi Dao population.
• Establish the taxonomic relationship between A. c. diversa
and A. c. cambodiana.
• Promote public awareness of the its conservation status
and legislation pertaining to the species in Thailand and
Cambodia.
• Lobby for a moratorium on logging in Bokor and Kirirom
National Parks, Cambodia.
3.3 Vulnerable species
Swamp francolin (Francolinus gularis)
Vulnerable A1c,d; A2c,d
This species is classified as Vulnerable because it has undergone
a rapid population decline, which is projected to continue,
concurrent with the rapid decline in extent and quality of its
specialised habitat. Hunting is an additional pressure.
Range and population: The swamp francolin is endemic to
the Ganges and Brahmaputra River Basins, from the terai
of western Nepal through Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West
Bengal, Sikkim, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh, northern
India, to Chittagong, the Chittagong Hill Tracts and the
Sundarbans, Bangladesh (Ripley 1982). In India,
populations have been found in all well-protected terai
grasslands, suggesting it exists in greater numbers than
previously thought. In Nepal, where its range covers
about 2,400km 2 with a 330km 2 area of occupancy, the
population is estimated at