Title
A Survey to determine the conservation status of Siamese Crocodiles in Kaeng Krachan National Park, Thailand
Author(s)
Kanwatanakid-Savini, C.;Pliosungnoen, M.;Pattanavibool, A.;Thorbjarnarson, J.B.;Limlikhitaksorn, C. ;Platt, S.G;.
Published
2012
Publisher
Herpetological Conservation and Biology
Abstract
The Siamese Crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis) is one of the most endangered crocodilians in the world, and
wild populations throughout Southeast Asia have precipitously declined over the last 50 years. Although initially feared
extinct in Thailand, surveys in 2001 located a remnant population of C. siamensis in Kaeng Krachan National Park
(KKNP), an extensive (2,915 km2) protected area along the Thai-Myanmar border. Our objectives were to assess the
conservation status of C. siamensis populations within the park, determine if reproduction is occurring, and develop
conservation recommendations based on these findings. We used a combination of nocturnal spotlight counts, track and
sign surveys, and village interviews to census crocodile populations in KKNP from 2009–2011. Interview data suggest
crocodiles occasionally enter Kaeng Krachan Reservoir, although we observed none during spotlight counts. No evidence
of crocodiles was found on the Mae Pradone River. We recorded 10 detections of crocodile sign (tracks and scat) along
the Petchburi River, although overall detection rates were low (< 0.30/km). We found three nests along the Petchburi
River from 2009–2011. Differences in mean egg width among clutches suggest one to three females nested. Clutches were
considerably larger than those reported from other wild populations, but contained only non-viable eggs, possibly due to
an insufficient number (or complete absence) of males in the Petchburi River. Collectively our survey data suggest at
least four, and perhaps as many as six non-hatchling C. siamensis inhabit KKNP. The viability of this small population is
doubtful and without direct conservation action, extinction appears inevitable. To avoid this fate, the existing population
should be augmented using crocodiles obtained from commercial farms in Thailand.
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