Vulture landing on a cow in Veal Krous Vulture Feeding Station, Cambodia.

© neil bowman/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Veal Krous Vulture Feeding Station

Northwestern Cambodia


In order to save three critically endangered species – the white-rumped, slender-billed and red-headed vultures – the Wildlife Conservation Society (www.wcs.org) set up a ‘vulture restaurant’ in the village of Dong Plet, northeast of Chaeb on the edge of the Preah Vihear Protected Forest. A cow carcass is placed in a field, and visitors waiting in a nearby bird hide watch as these incredibly rare vultures move in to devour the carrion.

Visits are offered by Siem Reap–based Sam Veasna Center.

Trips here involve an overnight at a WCS forest safari camp. Access to the site is year-round, but try to give SVC at least a week's notice to assure your spot.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Northwestern Cambodia attractions

1. Wat Phu Khao Kaew

20.67 MILES

About 6.5km northeast of Muang Saen, Wat Phu Khao Kaew was built on the site of some presumed pre-Khmer ruins, making it a holy spot for locals. Nothing…

2. Ban Hin Siew Tai Palm Sugar Trees

20.87 MILES

Although sugar palms can be seen across the island, Ban Hin Siew Tai is southern Laos' sugar capital. Many farmers here climb the trees twice a day to…

3. Don Khong History Museum

23.8 MILES

When the local governor built this two-storey French colonial–style home in 1935, he was so proud of himself that he christened it Sathanavoudthi, which…

4. Preh Nimith

23.91 MILES

The most impressive and easily accessible cascade from Preah Rumkel (US$5 by motorcycle taxi). There is a hiking path, some food stands and an out-of…

5. Muang Khong Market

23.95 MILES

This little morning market, full of both farmed and foraged foods, is a vibrant slice of island life.

6. Tham Phu Khiaw

24.11 MILES

Two kilometres north of Muang Khong a trail leads to Green Mountain Cave, a small, shallow shelter in the middle of the forest. It holds some fairly crude…

7. Wat Jom Thong

24.21 MILES

At the northern end of Muang Khong is Wat Jom Thong, the oldest temple on the island, dating from the Chao Anou period (1805–28). The wihăhn (temple hall)…

8. Tat Somphamit

25.62 MILES

Now billing itself as the Don Khone Somphamit Waterfalls Park, vast Tat Somphamit (also called Li Phi) is a gorgeous set of raging rapids. Recent…