Cambodia & Nature: Birth of Siamese crocodiles in the Stung Treng sanctuary

The Rising Phoenix team operating in the Siem Pang Wildlife Sanctuary has just announced that 14 Siamese crocodiles have been born in the reserve in Stung Treng province, according to Morodok Baitang (USAID). This is an important milestone since 22 crocodiles were reintroduced to the sanctuary in May 2023.

Siamese crocodiles are born in the Siem Pang sanctuary in Stung Treng province. Photo Rising Phoenix

“The young have emerged from one of the five nests counted this year, but unfortunately, the other four nests have not produced anything,” the organisation said in a message posted on social networks yesterday.

The Siem Pang Wildlife Sanctuary is also home to these crocodiles, but habitat loss and unsustainable fishing practices have led to a drastic decline in their population, the post said, noting that previous research has shown no evidence of the species' continued presence in the area.

To help prevent their extinction, USAID Morodok Baitang, in partnership with Rising Phoenix, took part in a reintroduction programme last year, the post explained:

‘This reintroduction, organised in collaboration with the provincial environment department, forestry administration, local authorities, communities, monks, teachers and students, also served as a platform to raise awareness of the vital role of Siamese crocodiles in the ecosystem and the importance of biodiversity conservation.’

“All the released crocodiles underwent genetic testing before being released to ensure that they were indeed Siamese. Unlike other species, pure-bred Siamese crocodiles are not known to be aggressive towards humans,” says Rising Phoenix.

The Siem Pang Wildlife Sanctuary forest area is located in the far north-east of Cambodia, in the province of Stung Treng, east of the Mekong River.

The Siem Pang Wildlife Sanctuary covers a total area of 132,321 ha and this protected area is managed by the Ministry of the Environment and the Stung Treng Department of the Environment.

The area was previously managed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, but in 2016 the Royal Government of Cambodia transferred jurisdiction and management to the Ministry of Environment.

The Siamese crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis) is a freshwater species native to Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. This medium-sized reptile was listed as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 2012.