Review of Globally Important Ecosystems and Their Biodiversity of the Lower Mekong Basin
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Reptiles
The Siamese Crocodile Crocodylus siamensis is Critically Endangered and listed on Appendix I of CITES. It was formerly widespread throughout the Lower Mekong River Basin, but has declined drastically due to excessive hunting and habitat destruction. This species is now very rare and believed to be extinct in the wild in Vietnam and Thailand. The small numbers confined to the south of Lao PDR and Cambodia are of extreme global importance as the last wild populations but they still face a number of threats. These include hunting, habitat destruction and harvesting of the young for crocodile farms. The natural genetic stock is also under threat from cross-breeding with both the Cuban Crocodile Crocodylus rhombifer and the Saltwater Crocodile Crocodylsus porosus encouraged by crocodile farms in the region. Local, but unconfirmed, reports from the Stoeng Sen northern Cambodia exist for the presence of the False Gharial Tomistoma schlegelii, listed as Data Deficient, but probably Globally Critically Endangered. Table 3: Globally threatened crocodiles from the Lower Mekong Basin
Over 20 species of turtles and terrapins occur in the Lower Mekong Basin, ten of which are listed in the Red Data Book. The Chinese three-striped box turtle Cuora trifasciata and River Terrapin Batagur baska are Critically Endangered. Seven other species are listed as Globally Threatened - Vulnerable. The populations of all species of turtle and terrapin in the Lower Mekong Basin are thought to be in rapid decline. Many hundreds of tonnes of turtles, i.e. millions of individuals, are exported from the countries of the Lower Mekong Basin annually, many destined for the food markets of East Asia and for use in traditional medicines. At a workshop in Phnom Penh (Dec. 1999) on the turtle and terrapin trade, delegates recommended stronger protection measures for all turtle and terrapin species of the Lower Mekong Basin. As a result of the discussions, a proposal to list all species of Asian Box turtle Cuora spp. on Appendix I was presented to the CITES Convention in April this year. This will assist in the protection of C. galbinifrons, C. amboinensis and other Cuora species in the Lower Mekong Basin. Table 4: Globally threatened turtles from the Lower Mekong Basin
Two species of monitor are found associated with the wetlands of the Lower Mekong Basin. These are the Bengal monitor Varanus bengalensis, listed under CITES Appendix I, and the water monitor Varanus salvator listed under Appendix II. Both are subjected to heavy hunting pressures. |