“Wonders of the Mekong” Project to Promote Sustainable Rivers in Southeast Asia

US Embassy in Cambodia



New joint project led by Dr. Zeb Hogan, National Geographic Fellow and host of the television show “Monster Fish,” on Nat Geo Wild.

The Wonders of the Mekong project to promote sustainable rivers in Southeast Asia will officially launch in Cambodia on February 7 at 3:00 p.m. at the Raffles Le Royal Hotel. The launch will feature remarks from USAID-Cambodia Mission Director Polly Dunford, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Secretary of State Nao Thuk, and University of Nevada-Reno professor Dr. Zeb Hogan.

The Wonders of the Mekong project is designed to bring increased awareness of the importance of the Mekong River and its ecosystem, which are vital to the economic and social health of Southeast Asia. Using social media and other forms of mass media, the Wonders of the Mekong project will share stories about the way that the people of the region use and benefit from the Mekong River and its tributaries. Wonders of the Mekong relies on expertise from leading domestic and international research institutions, including the Inland Fisheries Research and Development Institute. The project will build institutional partnerships and develop educational materials to advance research on the importance of the Mekong River biodiversity and ecosystems.

The principal investigator for the project is Dr. Zeb Hogan who has nearly 20 years of experience living and working in the Mekong Region. Dr. Hogan is best known as the host of the popular Nat Geo Wild series “Monster Fish,” which travels the world in search of strange and unusual fish. The co-principal investigator is Dr. Sudeep Chandra, also of the University of Nevada-Reno. Dr. Chandra’s work focuses on the conservation and restoration of aquatic ecosystems with a goal of improving environmental policy.

The speakers will be available for questions from the media following the launch.

Members of the media who wish to attend this event are requested to register with the U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Section via telephone at 023-728-258 or by e-mail at Chreav@state.gov no later than Tuesday, February 7, 2017, at 11:00 a.m.