This a picture of the critically endangered Crocodylus siamensis in the wild, in this case in protected Thai tropical rainforest.

This is a very shy species and there are not many pictures of this species in the wild.

Nice pic Michael. Is it endangered because of lost habitat like so many others?

__________________
Mike
"Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you." - Mother Teresa

It is not only from habitat loss but from extensive hunting from the 1950s to the 1970s, when the crocodilian leather industry was booming and they were also hunted out of fear, even though there is not one documented attack in the country (by Crocodylus siamensis). In the 1970s they were finally given protection, but were already nearly wiped out in the wild. Through protection, they are coming back slowly, very slowly. The Thai government has a re-introduction programme, where they are being raised to be released back into the wild; this is a programme that I am hoping to be a part of soon, by raising them.

I hope you're able to be part of the project. That would be an exciting endeavor.

__________________
Mike
"Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you." - Mother Teresa

very cool species, my second favorite croc species. heard there has been some great success with the captive breeding and in situ egg collection " ranched hatching" going on.

__________________
Don't be jealous the voices only speak to me...

www.herprecon.org

It is pretty much a sure thing. I just need to make my move to a bigger property (which I am working on now).

Cambodia has collected almost all the wild Crocodylus siamensis and they are farming them, unfortunately for the leather trade, but this is ensuring a large population of pure C. siamensis. Except for those being bred for reintroduction and those few that are still wild, most all of those in captivity in Thailand are hybrid (C. siamensis X C. porosus) crocodiles being bred for the leather trade.

very cool picture!

__________________
~Juliane~