Review of Globally Important Ecosystems and Their Biodiversity of the Lower Mekong Basin

Mammals

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  Permanent wetland residents
  
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  Seasonally wetlands species, particularly reliant on wetlands with permanent water in the dry season.
  

1. Permanently wetland-dependant residents

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  The Critically Endangered Irrawaddy Dolphin Orcaella brevirostris – see below.
  
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  The Endangered Wild Water Buffalo Bubalus arnee was reported in southern Laos earlier this century. It is now believed to be close to extinction in the Mekong River Basin as the result of disturbance and hunting (horns are sold and used for traditional medicine).
  
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  The Endangered Lowe’s Otter Civet Cynogale lowei is endemic to the region. This species is known from one skin only collected in Tomkin. It is reported to be found in Vietnam, Yunnan and North-eastern Thailand and may still be present in Laos or Cambodia.
  
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  The Hairy-nosed Otter Lutra sumatrana and Smooth-coated Otter Lutrogale perspicillata are both classified as Globally Vulnerable (CITES Appendix II). Reported from smaller rivers and relatively undisturbed habitats, both species are believed to be in serious decline due to hunting. However, there are reports of viable populations in some localities in the Lower Mekong Basin.
  
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  The Near-threatened Oriental Small-Clawed Otter Aonyx cinerea (CITES Appendix II) is found in rivers and streams in forests and in adjacent degraded areas.
  
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  The Near-threatened Fishing Cat Prionailurus viverrinus (CITES Appendix II) is found in lowland riverine and deciduous forest.
  
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  The Eurasian Otter Lutra lutra is still believed to occur in a number of different wetland habitats. It is listed on CITES Appendix I.
  

Recently, all of these species have been the target of heavy hunting pressure. In addition, the conversion of wetland areas to agricultural land has severely reduced available habitat, e.g. North-east of Thailand and the Mekong Delta.

1. Irrawaddy Dolphin

2. Seasonally wetland-dependant species