Posted 23 Nov 2009

Siamese crocodiles, which were believed to be extinct in the wild until recently, have been discovered at a wildlife rescue hub in Cambodia, it has been reported.

Research conducted on 69 crocs at the Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Center showed almost half of them are Siamese crocodiles, reports the Associated Press.

Adam Starr, manager of the Cambodian Crocodile Conservation Programme, stated: "For the first time in Cambodia, we have a captive population of animals that we know 100 per cent are purebred Siamese crocodiles."

The news provider states that the creatures were once a common sight in Asia, but have now disappeared from 99 per cent of the areas they used to inhabit – a development mainly due to poaching and loss of habitat.

In other news that may please wildlife-loving travellers on a gap year in Asia, a rare brown panda was spotted in China this month and is one of just five that has ever been seen in the country’s rural areas, Xinhua News reported.

Category: Asia