{"id":37367,"date":"2024-04-04T16:48:31","date_gmt":"2024-04-04T14:48:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/90e1d390-d2a6-457b-91dc-91d490db8f53"},"modified":"2024-04-04T17:35:47","modified_gmt":"2024-04-04T15:35:47","slug":"watch-50-rare-crocodiles-released-in-cambodias-tropical-cardamom-mountains","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/rss_feed\/watch-50-rare-crocodiles-released-in-cambodias-tropical-cardamom-mountains\/","title":{"rendered":"Watch: 50 rare crocodiles released in Cambodia’s tropical Cardamom Mountains"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cambodian conservationists have released 50 captive-bred juvenile Siamese crocodiles at a remote site in Cambodia as part of an ongoing programme to save the species from extinction. Watch the incredible moment the tiny crocs are set free… <\/p>

By Daniel Graham\n <\/p>

Published: Thursday, 04 April 2024 at 14:48 PM<\/p>

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Conservationists have released 50 captive-bred Siamese crocodiles at a remote site in Cambodia in a bid to strengthen wild populations and save the species from extinction.<\/p>

The expedition, which took researchers deep into the Cardamom Mountains in the south-west of the country, is the biggest release of captive-bred Siamese crocodiles to date.<\/p>

Siamese crocodiles are native to Cambodia. Credit: Hem Manita \/ Fauna & Flora<\/figcaption><\/figure>

The\u00a0Siamese crocodile<\/a>\u00a0is one of the world\u2019s rarest crocodiles, largely due to decades of hunting and habitat loss. They are categorised as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. <\/p>

The species was rediscovered in the wild in 2000, after which Fauna & Flora<\/a> and its government partners set up Cambonia’s first conservation breeding programme, which sees Siamese crocodiles bred in captivity before being released into the wild in remote sites protected by local communities.<\/p>

\"Siamese
Researchers paddle through the Cardamom Mountains. Credit: Hem Manita \/ Fauna & Flora<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Since 2012, conservations have successfully released a total of 196 Siamese crocodiles in safe areas in the Cardamom Mountains.<\/p>

Fauna & Flora\u2019s Cambodia team worked alongside\u00a0Cambodia\u2019s Forestry Administration of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and\u00a0community wardens to attach acoustic tags to 25 of the crocodiles. <\/p>

Researchers will use the tags to monitor the crocodiles’ movements and to see whether they survive. Analysis of this data will inform ongoing conservation efforts.\u00a0<\/p>

\"Sam
Conservationist Sam Han readies his kayak. Credit: Hem Manita \/ Fauna & Flora<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Watch the moment the rare crocodiles are released<\/h2>
Cambodian conservationists patrolling the river where the crocodiles are being released. Hem Manita \/ Fauna & Flora<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Pablo Sinovas (Fauna & Flora) releasing a captive-bred Siamese crocodile. Hem Manita \/ Fauna & Flora<\/figcaption><\/figure>