A Cambodian wildlife sanctuary has been given a prestigious tourism award, it has been reported.

Kulen Promtep Wildlife Sanctuary, which was founded by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), has been awarded Wild Asia's 2007 Responsible Tourism Award for protecting Cambodia's national bird, the rarely seen giant Ibis.

The sanctuary was set up as an ecotourism project as it is the only recognised area where the giant and white-shouldered Ibises breed are spotted on a regular basis.

"WCS is working in cooperation with the government and local communities of Cambodia to promote wildlife conservation through eco-tourism," said the WCS website.

A number of ecotourism projects are based in Cambodia including the flooded, semi evergreen forests, freshwater wetlands and the Tonle Sap Great Lake.

Last year Cambodia received over two million tourists for the first time due to the booming ecotourism industry, according to reports.

The Wild Asia awards aim to encourage businesses to develop responsible tourism business projects.

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