National and International Partners Move to Establish Siamese Crocodile Conservation Zone in the Cardamom Mountains

• Proeksa Meas
• 8 April 2026
• Construction Focus
• 681 Views

The Ministry of Environment and Fauna & Flora have convened a high-level meeting to advance plans for a new Siamese crocodile conservation area in Koh Kong Province. The discussion, held on March 30, 2026, focused on creating a protected habitat that will safeguard the genetic integrity and future of this critically endangered species. The meeting was attended by Mr. Thai Chantha, Deputy Director General of the General Directorate of Natural Protected Areas; Mr. On Sothearith, Deputy Governor of Koh Kong; and Mr. Lou Vanny, representing Fauna & Flora in Cambodia.

The proposed conservation zones are located at Kampong Ta Chey and Trapeang Peang within the Cardamom Mountains National Park, specifically in the Dang Peng Commune of Srae Ambel District. Technical experts have identified these locations as having the most suitable conditions for the Siamese crocodile, offering an ideal environment for the animals to live and reproduce naturally. This new initiative builds upon recent conservation milestones in the region, including the 2024 discovery of sixty wild hatchlings—the largest record in over two decades—and the subsequent finding of dozens of additional eggs in mid-2025.

Beyond habitat protection, the project aims to serve as a strategic site for the release of purebred Siamese crocodiles into the wild. This effort is intended to increase the natural population density and ensure the long-term survival of a species that scientists once feared was extinct in the natural world. Stakeholders at the meeting voiced their full support for the initiative, highlighting its importance in preserving Cambodia’s unique biodiversity and genetic resources. Currently, Cambodia remains a global stronghold for the species, hosting the majority of the estimated two hundred and fifty to one thousand individuals remaining in the wild.

• environment
• Conservation zone