'Our findings show that this critically endangered species is largely dependent on the local farmers for their survival,' said senior study author Hugh Wright.

'This is a fascinating outcome as we tend to assume that human activity always has a negative impact on the natural world,' he added.

With fewer than 500 birds remaining, mainly in Cambodia, the white-shouldered ibis has undergone the most rapid decline of all South-East Asia's large water birds and is now the most threatened.

These findings were published in the journal Animal Conservation.