In mid-May 2024, the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Fauna and Flora Cambodia and community wardens, discovered five nests of Siamese Crocodiles (Crocodylus siamensis) in Cardamom National Park, which is the largest number of nests ever found in more than 20 years.

According to a joint press release AKP received this morning, these 5 nests contained 106 eggs, of which 66 were fertilised, and the park rangers and communities closely monitored them. As a result, a total of 60 Siamese Crocodile eggs successfully hatched out between June 27 and 30, 2024. This discovery indicates that the area is a key habitat for natural crocodiles, providing hope for the species’ recovery.

It is noted that Siamese crocodile is the Critically Endangered species. There are approximately 1,000 Siamese crocodiles worldwide, of which more than 300 individuals are present in Cambodia.

‘The Ministry of Environment is implementing the Circular Strategy on Environment, which the Strategic Go
al 2 ‘Green’, Angle 2, Priority 2 focuses on biodiversity protection and conservation. Moreover, the Ministry of Environment is working on the conservation and habitat restoration of these critically endangered Siamese Crocodiles. The Siamese Crocodiles play an important role in the ecosystem, and the discovery of five nests with successful hatching of 60 eggs reflects that the Cardamom National Park is a safe and suitable natural habitat for this species,’ H.E. Dr. Eang Sophalleth, Minister of Environment mentioned. ‘It is our pride that Cambodia has the world’s rarest species, especially in the Cardamom National Park and some other protected areas. We will continue our efforts to conserve biodiversity for the benefit of the nation and our next generations.’

H.E. Dith Tina, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries commented that this is a significant achievement in the Endangered Species Conservation Programme. ‘Collaborating with NGO partners, the Ministry of Environment, and sub-national administr
ations, we’ve worked to promote the growth of rare species like Siamese crocodiles, dolphins, and royal turtles. The Forestry Administration of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, in collaboration with Fauna and Flora Cambodia, has made substantial efforts to breed pure Siamese crocodiles and release them back into the wild within conservation areas. This successful endeavor demonstrates the positive impact of our collective work, as Siamese crocodiles now reproduce independently, forming new nests and offspring in their natural habitat. It reinforces our commitment to conserve Cambodia’s diverse biodiversity for generations to come,’ he said.

For his part, Mr. Pablo Sinovas, Country Director, Fauna and Flora Cambodia Programme, comments: ‘For over a decade, Fauna and Flora, alongside our dedicated partners, have been steadfast in our mission to bolster Siamese crocodile populations in Cambodia’s Cardamom Mountains. This involves not only breeding them in captivity but also ensuring t
hey have a suitable habitat to be released into. Strengthening the protection of key sites within Cardamom National Park is crucial, shielding these habitats from threats such as deforestation and poaching.

‘The recent discovery of wild nests emphasises the vital importance of safeguarding this area. With only a few hundred individuals estimated in the wild, the hatching of 60 new crocodiles is a tremendous boost. At a time when wetland biodiversity is declining rapidly across the region, it underscores the potential for natural recovery through sustained collaborative conservation efforts.’

Mr. Toy Chorn, a community warden who helped discover and protect the nests, comments: ‘We have been working closely with Fauna and Flora to protect this critically endangered species for several years, and we were excited to have found these crocodile nests. This discovery indicates that our conservation efforts have paid off, and I believe that with our ongoing conservation efforts, the population of Siamese crocodi
les will continue to increase in the future.’

Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse