Following the death of Pol Pot of the Khmer Rouge in 1998 intrepid WCS conservationists completed the first wildlife surveys in over 50 years. In Tonle Sap they discovered the vestiges of a once great waterbird colony. Massive unregulated collection of eggs and chicks had reduced populations of species such as Oriental Darter to just a few hundred breeding pairs. At the same time, cutting and burning threatened the flooded forest and the waterbirds primary nest sites. Working with the Ministry of Environment, WCS used the offer of regular wages to convert the egg and chick collectors into nest guardians. Stationed on a network of tree-top platforms community members vigilantly protected nests throughout the breeding season. The birds responded immediately, rapidly increasing in number. From a few hundred pairs the Darter population has grown to over 14,000 individuals. This thriving waterbird colony is now an important tourist destination bringing visitors from around the world, and most importantly direct economic benefits to the communities who protect the birds and their nesting trees. Conservation of the flooded forest has maintained critical habitat for the immense fish population that is vital to the wellbeing of local families who live in floating villages, and a key part of the food chain for the growing waterbird colony, otters, crocodiles and other wildlife.