Near-extinct Siamese crocs make comeback in Cambodia

Conservationists claim that Cambodia has welcomed 60 infant Siamese crocodiles, breaking the endangered species ‘ spawning record this century.

They have called it a “real mark of hope”, after more than 20 years of work to revive the turtle’s figures in the distant Cardamom Mountains.

The back of the olive-green freshwater snake has a different bony crest; according to some estimates, it may grow up to 3 meters or close to 10 feet.

Environmentalists reported on Thursday that citizens found five homes in May, and the girl crocodiles were born at the end of June.

Siamese turtles were again present in a large portion of South East Asia.

But centuries of poaching and habitat loss have transformed them into what conservationists refer to as” analytically endangered” types. Only 400 of them are still around, and Cambodia accounts for the majority of them.

Given their dwindling population in the wild,” the hatching of 60 new crocodiles is a great boost”, said Pablo Sinovas, who leads the Cambodia project of conservation group Fauna &amp, Flora.

He added that this was enormously encouraging for” creative conservation efforts”- in this case the efforts have involved conservationists, native NGOs and the Thai government.

The crocodiles were thought to be extinct until they were found in Cambodia in 2000.

According to Mr. Sinovas, Fauna &amp, Flora has since established a program to reproduce them captive before releasing them into appropriate environments across the Cardamom Mountains.

Local community wardens patrol the mountains on ordinary patrols to make sure the crocodiles are protected after being released.

The program has successfully released 196 Siamaese crocodiles back into the wild since 2012.

Visitors discovered eggs in areas where the turtles had not previously been released, suggesting that the species had been breeding in their natural setting in May.

The conservation group sent workers to ensure the eggs were kept safe round-the-clock until all the eggs hatch, bringing 60 Siamese crocs into the world.