Nearly extinct Siamese crocodile makes comeback in Cambodia

Sixty baby Siamese crocodiles have been born in Cambodia, in what conservationists say is the highest number of the endangered species hatched this century.

They call it a “real sign of hope” after more than two decades of trying to restore the reptile’s population in the remote Cardamom Mountains.

This olive-green freshwater reptile has a distinctive crown of bones at the back of its head and can grow up to three meters, or nearly 10 feet, in length, according to estimates.

Local residents discovered the five nests in May and the baby crocodiles were born at the end of June, conservationists said on Thursday.

Siamese crocodiles once ranged widely across Southeast Asia.

But decades of hunting and habitat loss have left them classified as “critically endangered” by conservationists, with just 400 left in the world, most of them in Cambodia.

Wild crocodile populations have been declining, so “the hatching of 60 new crocodiles is a big boost,” said Pablo Sinovas, who heads the Cambodia program for environmental group Fauna and Flora.

He said the effort was very encouraging for “joint conservation efforts”, which involve conservationists, local NGOs and the Cambodian government.

The crocodile was feared extinct until it was rediscovered in Cambodia in 2000.

Synovas said Fauna & Flora has since worked with local authorities to set up a programme to breed the animals in captivity before releasing them into suitable habitats in the Cardamom Mountains.

Local rangers regularly patrol the mountains to ensure the released crocodiles are safe.

Since 2012, the program has successfully released 196 Siamese crocodiles back into the wild.

In May, locals discovered a nest in an area where crocodiles had never been released before, suggesting the animals were breeding in their natural habitat.

The conservation team then deployed personnel to ensure the nest was protected around the clock, and all the eggs hatched, resulting in 60 baby Siamese crocodiles.