Siamese

Crocodile
Conservation:
Ways to increase the number of Siamese Crocodiles in
Cambodia and its effects

By: Canica Pal , Linda Hor, Norithisak Teng & Reach Oscar Vann
Overview
Siamese Crocodile is a magnificent and unique creature
belonging to the very nature. We’ve witnessed their population
declining in Cambodia and now they are facing the risk of
extinction. Today we are going to discussed the precaution and
how should we take action to prevent this species from
extinction.
 1
01 Background Information

Contexts 2
02 Habitants

3
03 Preventions
“We have more to learn from
animals than animals have to
learn from us”

—Douglas Williams
Insight of Siamese Crocodile
Siamese Crocodile is a medium-sized freshwater
species living widespread throughout Southeast Asia,
mainly wetland habitat. They carry the characteristic of
having a body length that can add up to 300 cm
accompanying the weight of several hundred kilograms.
The species has never been known to attack people
across Cambodia or Laos but instead, they have been
seen for their love and care, feeding their young for up to
a year before hatching.

However, what could have happened to this

unique and unknown crocodile that it has to be faced
with the risk of extinction?
01
Habitants
 According to the studies of various institutions, Siamese
crocodile inhabits a wide range of freshwater habitats which
include slow-moving rivers, streams, oxbow lakes, seasonal
lakes, marshes, and swamps up to 730 m a.s.l.

More importantly, studies also show that during the dry

season (December - April) of Southwestern Cambodia have
found the Siamese crocodile to be highly sedentary, which
mean they are staying within the lake or short length of river.
Conversely, during the wet season (May - November) adults
Siamese crocodile has been seen dispersing up tp 25 km
before returning to the dry site.
 Whereabouts
Srae Ambel District Koh Kong Province

Within the Southern Cardamom National Park

compromising hill evergreen forest, semi-evergreen forest
and open forest, grassland, with an elevation of 10-600
meters. The site can be found at the elevation of 70 m a.s.I
at a section of the river, where a village can be located 12
km downstream. The river’s width ranges from 30 to 50 m,
and these habitats include a mixture of rocks, sandbars,
and vegetation in the water, with rapids separating
deepwater sections.
 Range and Risk
There are two main species of crocodile native to Cambodia
being the Estuarine Crocodile and Siamese Crocodile.
According to research both species started to decline due to
human modification of their habitat. The number added up to
5% of wild population being lost each year, which effects the
population of Siamese Crocodile tremendously.
 1
Breeding and
Reintroduction
Programs(Locals)

2
Prevention Education

3
Regulation of Croc
Farming Industry
1. Captive breeding and reintroduction program
What is it?
We will go about creating a program informing and teaching individuals about how to
breed and keep safe Siamese Crocodile whilst employing locals rangers as well as
volunteers to continue breeding effort.. By creating these programs we believe everyone
partaking in the program will learn from the experts/local rangers and qualified
volunteers to make sure that the species will not face endangerment again.

The programs will follow contain contents such as:

* Shows people how to breed Siamese Crocodile
* How to feed the species
* How to prevent from getting in danger while in contact
* How to live alongside them
* How to make sure that they won't be endangered again
A small reintroduction programs
We could also make use of the reintroduction program by make a resort. A place where
people could visit, feed the Siamese Crocodiles and having a picnic. It is a resort where we
could perform some fun activity or acting, have a relaxing day outside the city and no
animals are being harm which mean no selling or buying any animals related products.
From that, we could also rising profits or fund to take care of the Siamese Crocodiles.
Hence, we could provide and take care more of Siamese Crocodiles.
How will it be done?
In order to sustain enough capital to employ local rangers and obtain resources to breed to
monitor the crocodiles, in addition to collaborating with international agencies (such as FFI
and PTES) as well as local government agencies, we would also hold eco-tours to shows other
the process of the breed and the crocodiles in general. By doing so, we believe that it would
allow us, in addition, to continue to help captive breeding and re-introduce for a longer period
of time, we would provide access to education and an opportunity to interact with the
siamese crocodile (creating bond and trust with the public), and provide employment for local
rangers.

We would also like to focus on employing/working with the local rangers

as not only do they have lived in and are well-verse in that environment,
they also have a long history of protecting crocodiles, thus would know
the best and most appropriate techniques to protect and monitor the
siamese crocodiles. There was an instance, as reported by the Phnom
Penh Post, where the local indegounese people found one dead siamese
crocodile after traps, nets and other materials were set by FFI in order to
move the siamese crocodiles.
The steps and procedures on how to captive breed and reintroduce the siamese crocodile
will be derived from past successful Fauna and Flora reintroduction programs:

1. Separating purebred siamese crocodiles from hybrids ones; Such step is done to prevent cross-breeding,
thus genetic purity of the crocodiles that is going to be related. This is done through DNA samples sent to
other countries, such as Thailand, for analysis as Cambodia currently does not have the facilities to do so.
2. Separating male and female hybrids to prevent them from breeding; Such a step is done to stop
hybridization. This can be done by transferring to a separate facility.
3. Construct breeding pens for at least 3 C. siamensis pairs and rearing pens for offspring; Gather the egg,
put it in artificial incubation, the crocodiles are reared in captivity for about two years until they reach a
size of 75-100 cm. Later released in the new environment where they are protected.
4. Identify at least 3 sites with suitable habitat that can be adequately protected; The site will be ones that is
consist with the siamese crocodiles habitats outlined in slide 7-8.
5. Develop a re-introduction plan using the guidelines of the IUCN-SSC Reintroduction Specialist Group. The
reintroduction will be presented to the CSG and Reintroduction Specialist Group for review in order to
obtain the best chance of success.
How successful will this method be?
A 2018 surveys by the WCS Laos found that “crocodile populations
are increasing as the result of releasing juveniles and continued
recruitment from a small adult population” and The Cambodian
Journal of Natural History notes that “there are good prospects of
rebuilding their populations by enlisting the help of indigenous
communities and by releasing genetically-screened captive-bred
stock.”, thus the main solution of breeding and reintroduction
programs, with help mainly from local people, will be effective in
increasing the number of siamese crocodiles. A breeding program
by PTES, for example, saw “111 purebred crocodiles have been
released into the sanctuary waters”. Furthermore, since we are
also providing Ecotourism, we are tapping into the second biggest
industry/sector of Cambodia’s economy, thus will result in a higher
chance of success.
2. Better regulation of the siamese crocodile farming industry

What is it?
Siamese Crocodile specifically we can see that the
species is on the verge of extinction due to many
reasons, however, one of the causes was due to
crocodile hunting/farming. A 2004 IUCN report
stated that “The root of the problem [decrease in
siamese crocodiles] lies in the poorly regulated
crocodile farming and export industry”. This is
because farming is linked with illegal hunting for the
purpose of selling to stock farms, thus a better
regulated farming industry is needed not only for the
wildlife but the farmers as well.
2. Better regulation of the siamese crocodile farming industry

Despite the “overall global trade [of crocodiles]

appearing to have been remarkably stable over
the decade”, the numbers of Cambodian crocodile
farms seems to have decreased. “Breeders are on
their dying breath, the prices are way too low – I
can’t even muster up the will to go see the
crocodiles.” said Chanthorn, a Cambodian
crocodiles farmer. “With this method of breeding,
our crocodile skins are completely incapable of
meeting their [buyers’] standards.” “this method of
breeding” is referring to hybridized breeding that is
against the CITES standard of trading, which limits
Cambodia farmer market as it does not meet
international standards. Thus, creating better
regulation for the industry, allowing for better and
more sustainable skins, will also positively impact
the farmers.
How will it be done?
- Push for better regulations/Show support laws and legislation that protect wildlife
and its habitats. Show support for petitions or demonstrations for laws or legislation
that establishes “strict monitoring and management programs'' for the siamese
crocodiles populations. Furthermore, focusing on farms to be strictly regulated, by
making sure all farms are registered with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and
Fisheries (MAFF) or CITES, making sure the farms are implementing/adhering to the
standards (fines could be given if farmers are not up to standard.
- Personal involvement on social media or other methods. Since regulations are up to
the government to implement and enforce, as citizen/concerned individuals, we can
also contribute by generating interest, both online and offline, with emphasis on the
harms of hunting. Showing how taking part in hunting or farming crocodiles can
damage the world of nature, causing species to go extinct, eliminating the true
beauty of wildlife. Showing that those actions are harmful toward both the
environment and society. Generating interest, especially online, will make people
more aware and more likely to support laws and legislation.
How effective will it be?

While we might not be able to stop those people from continuing their action,
however in this regulation reform, we believe it would help individuals to take
time and understand the consequences of their actions, thus will be more
likely to follow the new rules. The deputy president of the Association of
Cambodian Crocodile Farm Development to Siem Reap have said that
“crocodile farming in Cambodia takes more of a monkey-see, monkey-do
approach”, thus if one farmer starts to follow regulation and more farmers will
do so. Furthermore, as remarked by PTES: “Cambodia is capable of amassing
sufficient resources, skills, political will and popular support to address
multiple threats…….enabling this large predator to make a comeback.”, thus we
believe that this solution could succeed and bring positive impacts.
3. Education
What is it?
Educating or teaching is an important aspect of preventing
endangerment and extinction. Why? The more awareness is raised,
the more knowledgeable people become. The more they are
aware, the more understanding they are, and, less harm will be
done (unintentionally) to the animal. Therefore, we should:-
Educate citizens and farmers about the land use planning and the
importance of siamese crocodiles in our environment.
How will it be done?
- Raise awareness, through social media, etc, among citizens
about animals that are facing extinction, therefore to not
meddle with them.
- Put them in a zoo, allowing people to see and pets them.
Pure, unhybridized siamese crocodiles are generally non
aggressive towards humans, petting them could develop
trust
- Bring in educational materials that teach conservation to
students. Educational material like posters and conservation
boards could be placed in wetland area, in addition to school,
where the Siamese crocodiles lives. This is useful for
community engagement and create commitment to
conserving the Siamese crocodile.
- Raise awareness on different conservation companies like
PTES(People’s Trust For Endangered Species) or FFI (Fauna
and Flora International).
- Create volunteering programs for children to learn about
these endangered species, hopefully developing a passion for
taking care of them.
- Make donations available for people who want to help
How effective will this be?

The case study from Australia demonstrates

“the importance of public education to
mitigate human‒crocodile conflict—
especially among people who are not
landowners or consumers, and hence see no
personal economic gain from these
dangerous animals.”, thus we believe
pushing for education will help the siamese
crocodile population.
 Effects of bringing Siamese crocodiles back:
The proposed methods/solutions above will first bring positive effects to Cambodia’s ecosystems. “When
crocodile numbers are high, so are those of fish and turtle species.” - PTES. As for the effects towards to
the specific methods:
Method #1:
Increasing siamese crocodile populations through
captive-breeding programs and a resort that hold
eco-tours, will of course increase the number of wild
siamese crocodiles and bring more economic opportunities
to the locals that are working there. A report by Kastamonu
University shows that “ecotourism is an important
instrument for rural development; if managed well, it also
makes serious contributions to the country's economy.”
and “Developing ecotourism activities offers a large
amount of job opportunities for local/rural population.”
Method #2:
Increasing siamese crocodile populations through better regulation to the farming industry will not
only help the survival of the siamese crocodile by decreasing hunting and poaching for the purpose of
selling it to farmers, but also contribute to the crocodile industry and especially the livelihood of the
farmers. Better regulation would means more farms are inline with national and international
standards, such as CITES, and as In Hul, deputy director of the Fisheries Conservation Department at
the Ministry of Agriculture said “CITES registration is crucial to developing a sustainable commercial
crocodile farming industry, and provides a legal way for farmers to realise the added-value of selling
crocodile skins on the international market.”.

Method #3:
Increasing siamese crocodile populations through educating the population on the importance of
siamese crocodiles will mainly benefit the crocodile by limiting the risk of unintentional harm caused
by fear, misunderstanding, etc, but education could spark more interest in children or adult to pursue
career in field related to conservation or wildlife and/or be more active and participate in programs
that protects the environment and habitats of siamese crocodiles or other important/endangered
species in Cambodia.
Conclusion:

Regulation, methods, preventions have all been set for the sole reason
of reviving and preventing the extinction of Siamese Crocodiles. All that is
left to do is having full cooperation from citizens and governments who are
willingly participating and taking part in the movement. Wildlife animals
and nature are what mother nature has given to us, destroying its forms
brings us little benefits but rather immense casualties. Lets us join hands
and protect what we have, prevent any upcoming problems. We together
will be able to make wildlife greats and flourish once again.
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%20with%20the%20ministry
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