Five nests of nearly-extinct Siamese crocodiles have been discovered in Cambodia's Cardamom National Park, which is the largest number of nests ever found in more than 20 years, a conservationist group said in a joint press release on Thursday.
"These five nests contained 106 eggs, of which 66 were fertilized, and our park rangers and communities closely monitored them," the press release said. "As a result, a total of 60 Siamese crocodile eggs successfully hatched out between June 27 and 30, 2024."
A Siamese crocodile cub. /CFP
Siamese crocodile is listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List as Critically Endangered, with about 1,000 Siamese crocodiles worldwide, of which more than 300 individuals are present in Cambodia, the news release said.
"This discovery indicates that the area is a key habitat for natural crocodiles, providing hope for the species' recovery," it said.
Environment Minister Eang Sophalleth said his ministry is working on the conservation and habitat restoration of these critically endangered 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," he said.
"It is our pride that Cambodia has the world's rarest species, especially in the Cardamom National Park and some other protected areas," Sophalleth said. "We will continue our efforts to conserve biodiversity for the benefit of the nation and our next generations."
Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries Dith Tina said the discovery was a significant achievement in the endangered species conservation program.
"Collaborating with NGO partners, the Ministry of Environment, and sub-national administrations, we've worked to promote the growth of rare species like Siamese crocodiles, dolphins, and royal turtles," he said.
Pablo Sinovas, country director of the Fauna & Flora Cambodia Program, said for over a decade, the wildlife conservation charity, together with other partners, has been steadfast in its mission to bolster Siamese crocodile populations in Cambodia's Cardamom Mountains.
"The recent discovery of wild nests emphasizes 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," he said.