The Surveillance, Intelligence, and Reporting Unit (SIRU) patrols 24/7 in support of law enforcement to prevent land encroachment, poaching, and logging. SIRU removes thousands of snares annually. The unit also maps forest cover change and is responsible for the development of our REDD+ project.

SIRU

Earth ranger real-time monitoring

Snare removal

SMART Mobile connect

2024 Scout Snare Success

Regular patrols through the forest are necessary for the purpose of snare removal. Snares are indiscriminate and are either fatal or cause crippling injuries. Illegal fishing equipment is also often removed on patrols.

Combined scout patrols in 2024 covered an astonishing 20,546 kilometres. De-snaring operations conducted on foot and by boat patrol made 70 illegal fishing equipment seizures and removed 2373 snares. This snare count represented almost half of the 4325 snares that were removed in 2023, when patrols covered considerably less ground. This possibly indicates that our patrols are having an impact on the willingness of hunters to use snares; an important achievement, considering the fact that any one of these snares could capture a sun bear or fatally wound a banteng.

Communication for Law Enforcement

At the Rising Phoenix headquarters in Siem Pang, we have a radio room which receives communications from the patrolling scouts, working 24/7, using Earth Ranger technology and walkie-talkies. On patrol Rising Phoenix scouts work with law enforcement agencies including rangers from the Department of Environment and the Royal Gendarmerie Khmer. This frequently results in arrests of law breakers, who then can be processed within the legal system. Scout teams are gradually being equipped with SMART connect and SMART mobile.