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Saving the last Siamese crocodiles

The Siamese crocodile Crocodylus siamensis, is one of the world’s most critically endangered animals. This species was common and widespread in the wetlands and waterways of Southeast Asia less than a century ago, but hunting and habitat loss have reduced its distribution to barely 1% of its former range. Based on surveys since 2000, we estimate that fewer than 250 adults survive in the wild.

Crocodiles are vital for maintaining healthy wetlands: they control predatory fishes and by digging out channels, they ensure a constant water supply even through the dry season. Siamese crocodiles are also sacred to a number of ethnic minorities in Southeast Asia. They are not man-eaters, but prefer to feed on smaller prey, especially snakes, fish and rats.

Most of the surviving Siamese crocodile population inhabits Cambodia’s remote Cardamom Mountains. Though protected by law, they are under enormous pressure from the illegal collection of eggs and live animals, or from drowning in fishing nets and traps. Around a thousand crocodile farms have been established in Cambodia, and many farmers have admitted to buying wild-caught crocodiles. Once on the farms, the wild Siamese crocodiles are easily hidden among the captive-bred crocodiles. In addition, some of the most important crocodile sites in the mountains are also under serious threat from hydroelectric dams.

While the recovery of wild populations could take decades (each Siamese crocodile takes at least 15 years to reach sexual maturity), the Cambodian Crocodile Conservation Programme has made strong progress since 2001, including:

• Trained government wildlife officers to become proficient crocodile biologists and established the national crocodile database to aid decision-making;
• Conducted the first radiotelemetry study of Siamese crocodiles and gained valuable new insights into their diet, reproduction and the area and type of habitat they need;
• Led the first scientific explorations of many rivers, which identified 33 crocodile sites and discovered a number of new species;
• Launched a nationwide awareness campaign, and achieved recognition of Siamese crocodiles as a national conservation priority.
• Published the Siamese Crocodile Survey and Monitoring Handbook for fieldworkers in Southeast Asia.
• Established a network of community wardens and sanctuaries to safeguard the last breeding colonies of Siamese crocodile.
• Established camera trapping and nesting studies which have helped elucidate threats to nests and eggs and have provided important information on population recruitment.

The project team comprises trained Forestry Administration staff, working alongside FFI crocodile experts, community wardens, university students and others. Although we focus mainly on Cambodia, we also provide training and support for crocodile conservation in neighbouring countries in partnership with IUCN/ SSC Crocodile Specialist Group.

The BBC’s Saving Planet Earth series is helping, and visited Cambodia in late 2006 to raise awareness and funds for the Critically Endangered Siamese crocodile. Watch Fauna & Flora International and BBC Radio One DJ, Edith Bowman protect Siamese crocodiles in Cambodia as part of the BBC Saving Planet Earth series. More about the programme.