The Life of Animals | Siamese crocodile | The Siamese crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis) is a freshwater crocodile native to Indonesia (Borneo and possibly Java), Brunei, East Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, Burma, Thailand, and Vietnam. In the wild They prefer slow-moving waters like swamps, rivers, and some lakesDue to excessive hunting and habitat loss this crocodile is a critically endangered species.
Since then, a number of surveys have confirmed the presence of a tiny population in Thailand (possibly numbering as little as two individuals, discounting recent reintroductions), a small population in Vietnam (possibly less than 100 individuals), and more sizable Populations in Burma , Laos and Cambodia. In March 2005, conservationists found a nest containing juvenile Siamese Crocodiles in the southern Lao province of Savannakhet.
There is known to be a significant population of the Crocodiles living in East Kalimantan, Indonesia. Fauna and Flora International is running a program in the district of Thmo Bang, Koh Kong province, where Villagers are financially encouraged to Safeguarding known Crocodile Nests. The Araeng river is Considered to have the healthiest population of Siamese Crocodiles in the world, although this may change soon after the completion of a massive dam in the river Araeng.
During the heavy monsoon period of June-November, Siamese Crocodiles take advantage of the increase of in water levels to move out of the river and onto large local lakes and other bodies of water, returning to Their original habitat once water levels start receding back to Their usual levels. A number of captively held individuals are the result of hybridization with the saltwater crocodile, but Several thousand "pure" individuals do exist in captivity and it is regularly Bred at crocodile farms; ESPECIALLY in Thailand. In the Bang Sida National Park in Thailand, near Cambodia, there is a project to reintroduce into the wild Siamese crocodile. A number of young Crocodiles have been released into a small and remote river in the park, not accessible to visitors.
