The skin of an adult Siamese crocodile can fetch more than $1,000 on the black market. Given that the national annual wage in Cambodia is around $270, it’s hardly surprising that this vulnerable reptile has been driven to the brink of extinction. Protecting its habitat, establishing community wardens and returning purebred crocodiles to the wild would be major steps towards conserving the species.

At a glance
The Siamese crocodile was declared 'functionally extinct' in the wild in Cambodia in 1992, which means its numbers were so reduced that the species was considered unable to recover. However, viable populations were 'rediscovered' in Cambodia’s Cardamom Mountains in 2000 by a team from Fauna & Flora International.

What is the threat?
Cambodia’s crocodiles are protected by law but are under enormous pressure from many threats, especially the illegal collection of eggs and live animals. Around a thousand crocodile farms have been established in Cambodia to feed the demands of the fashion industry and for meat in China, and many farmers admit to buying wild-caught crocodiles. Once on the farms, the wild Siamese crocodiles are easily hidden among the thousands of captive-bred crocodiles.

The Siamese crocodile is particularly sought after because it has very soft leather, which, unfortunately for the crocodile, is perfect for making handbags. The surviving wild Siamese crocodile population covers barely one per cent of its former range.

What are the charities doing?
Fauna & Flora International (FFI) concentrates its efforts on Cambodia, but also supports neighbouring countries. The project team comprises trained forestry administration staff, who work alongside Fauna & Flora International crocodile specialists, local community wardens, university students and other collaborators.

More about FFI
FFI’s project has made some notable achievements in its first five years. These include:

• Surveying crocodiles in mountainous areas where conventional boat-based surveys are not feasible.
• Training wildlife officers to become crocodile biologists.
• Conducting the first radio-telemetry study of Siamese crocodiles and gaining new knowledge on their movements, diet, habitat preferences and reproduction.
• Leading the first scientific exploration of many rivers, which identified 30 crocodile sites and discovered fish and amphibians new to science.
• Most importantly, the FFI launched a nationwide awareness campaign, and made the Siamese crocodile a national conservation priority.

What can I do?
Even if you wear fake croc-skin products, think carefully about the message you are giving - it can imply that you endorse the look of it, which is good news for the skin industry.

Did you know?

• Like all reptiles, crocodiles shed their skin. However, they discard their scales individually, rather than all at once in the manner of snakes, or in patches like lizards.
• Crocodiles have special glands in their tongues that can get rid of excess salt, so can live in saltwater.
• Crocodiles’ ears aren’t visible. They have slits on their heads that lead to a well-developed inner ear, and the slits close up when they go into water.  Their hearing is so good that they can even hear their young calling from inside their eggs.
• Crocs also have keen eyesight above water. With eyes on top of their heads they can see well as they cruise the water looking for prey. They can probably see some colour and have good night vision because their vertical pupils can open wider than round ones to let in more light.
• Crocodiles can hold their breath under water for more than an hour.
• Crocs can swim up to 32 km/h and, in spite of their stocky legs, can run on land for short bursts at 18 km/h.