Twenty endangered Siamese crocodiles hatch in Laos
Aug 28, 2011 4:47 PM, By JERRY HARMER
VIENTIANE, Laos (AP) - One of the world's rarest crocodile species has moved a little bit further from extinction with the hatching of 20 wild eggs plucked from a nest found in southern Laos.
Experts believe there could be as few as 300 Siamese crocodiles remaining in the world's swamps, forests and rivers, so the discovery of the nest - the first found in the mountainous, jungle-clad country since 2008 - is a significant step in the rehabilitation of a species that was declared extinct in the wild in 1992.
Since then, tiny populations have been discovered in remote corners of its range, which used to include most of Southeast Asia. Still, the crocs remain critically endangered, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List, the acknowledged authority on the status of global biodiversity.
Under the soft red light of an incubator, the 20 baby crocodiles tapped and cracked their way into the world last week. Their nest was found in the southern province of Savannakhet in June by a team of villagers trained by the New York-based Wildlife Conservation Society, which is working to save the species in landlocked Laos.
"The feeling was one of elation," Chris Hallam, who coordinates the organization's crocodile project in Laos, told The Associated Press about the hatching.
"When you look at the global population and the population in Laos it represents quite a significant number of individual crocodiles," he said.
The crocs were hatched at the Lao Zoo, just outside Vientiane, where they were moved to protect them from predators such as snakes and monitor lizards.
Hallam said the crocodiles will be raised in captivity for 18 months before being released back into the wild.
And it seems they won't be alone. Villagers recently found another nest in Savannakhet with 20 eggs inside. Because those crocs are so near to hatching, conservationists decided to leave them where they are with village teams keeping an eye on them.
The Siamese crocodile grows up to 10 feet (3 meters) in length but is generally docile. Their passive nature made them all the easier to hunt. In recent decades thousands were captured and sold to crocodile farms that sprung up across Southeast Asia, feeding a vogue for its renowned soft skin and a taste for its meat.
Several thousand of the crocodiles remain in farms and in zoos, though many have been crossbred with bigger species, reducing still further the numbers of pure Siamese crocodiles.
Showing posts with label Laos. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Laos. Show all posts
Monday, August 29, 2011
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Twenty rare Siamese crocodiles hatch in zoo
One of the world's rarest crocodiles is clawing its way back from extinction in the wild, with the hatching of 20 eggs in Laos.
The eggs of the Siamese crocodiles were found floating on a bed of reeds in a lake in southern Laos in June, and were brought to the zoo for protection.
Katherine Smith reports.
Footage of crocodiles in incubator courtesy of Wildlife Conservation Society. See video here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-14681662
The eggs of the Siamese crocodiles were found floating on a bed of reeds in a lake in southern Laos in June, and were brought to the zoo for protection.
Katherine Smith reports.
Footage of crocodiles in incubator courtesy of Wildlife Conservation Society. See video here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-14681662
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Pictures: Hundreds of Rare Gibbons Found in Vietnam
A male northern white-cheeked gibbon (left) and a mother carrying her baby hang out in a treetop in Vietnam's Pu Mat National Park in a recent picture.
The animals are part of a newfound population of more than 400 of the gibbons, which are deemed critically endangered in Vietnam and Laos by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The gibbons, which have declined due to widespread hunting and logging of their habitat, are likely extinct in China.
Conservation International had been searching for the rare primates since 2008, finding only a few scattered groups—until now. New auditory sampling surveys—during which researchers record the calls of gibbon "families"—have revealed that Pu Mat is home to 130 gibbon groups, for an overall population of roughly 455 individuals.
The discovery of such a large gibbon population may mean the species has a better chance of long-term survival, the scientists say.
Rachel Kaufman
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/07/pictures/110721-rare-gibbon-species-population-found-vietnam/
The animals are part of a newfound population of more than 400 of the gibbons, which are deemed critically endangered in Vietnam and Laos by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The gibbons, which have declined due to widespread hunting and logging of their habitat, are likely extinct in China.
Conservation International had been searching for the rare primates since 2008, finding only a few scattered groups—until now. New auditory sampling surveys—during which researchers record the calls of gibbon "families"—have revealed that Pu Mat is home to 130 gibbon groups, for an overall population of roughly 455 individuals.
The discovery of such a large gibbon population may mean the species has a better chance of long-term survival, the scientists say.
Rachel Kaufman
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/07/pictures/110721-rare-gibbon-species-population-found-vietnam/
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Australia urged to help halt Mekong dam
Ron Corben
March 10, 2011
Environmental groups want Australia's help to halt a $3.5 billion hydro-electricity power project on the Mekong River which has pitted our South-East Asian neighbours against each other.
Thailand and Laos want to press ahead with the Xayaburi Dam project, but Australia - through the Mekong River Commission (MRC) - has backed concerns by Vietnam and Cambodia over project.
The Xayaburi Dam in Laos is the first of 11 proposed hydropower developments on the lower Mekong River.
Concerns have been raised about the dam's impact on the biodiversity of the river and the 40 million people who depend on it for their livelihoods.
The United States has already called for development to be deferred for 10 years to allow further environmental impact studies to be carried out.
Environmental groups in Australia have also pressed Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd to back calls for a stay on hydro-power development along the river.
Ame Trandem, a representative for environmental group International Rivers, says Australia needs to step up pressure on the commission given fears of the wider impact hydropower dams will have on the Mekong River.
"Australia should be applying more pressure on the Mekong River Commission to make sure that the four countries take a precautionary approach to the dams and that they are fully informed and aware of the impact the dams will cause," Ms Trandem said.
A decision on the project by the commission could come as early as March 22.
The Laos-based MRC is internationally donor sponsored, with Australia a key contributor.
The MRC advises the four countries - Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam - over the direction of development on the Mekong River.
Laos, in official statements, says it sees no reason for delaying the Xayaburi Dam, having met all legal, environmental and social measures.
In 2007, Laos signed a memorandum of understanding to sell 95 per cent of the electricity produced by the Xayaburi project to Thailand.
Financing and construction for the $3.5 billion development is also set to come from Thai banks and construction companies.
University of New South Wales political analyst, Carl Thayer, says Australia faces difficult diplomatic times given Thailand and Laos' ambition to press on with the Xayaburi hydro-power development.
"Vietnam's got Australia's ears," Mr Thayer said.
"Laos needs the money from selling electricity. All northeast Thailand and Vietnam are importers of electricity from Laos - it cuts the other way," he said.
"By Australia and environmentalists raising it, it is because the scientific evidence isn't clear enough. And be careful what you wish for because it could do irrevocable damage for downstream states," he told AAP.
"There's no win-win situation for Australia because each country (has its) own national interest in getting... the water and using its flow."
The 4900-kilometre Mekong River starts in the Tibetan Plateau, running through southern China, Laos, Thailand, and Cambodia and onto the Vietnam's delta region to the South China Sea.
China has gone ahead with programs to dam the upper Mekong, while the Xayaburi Dam is the first planned construction on the lower Mekong's mainstream.
Climatologist Anond Snidvongs from Chulalongkorn University says dams will impact the region's agriculture.
"Dams are definitely going to affect the biodiversity, that's one thing. It's very clear and very well proven," he said.
Of key concern is the impact on fisheries on Cambodia's Ton Le Sap Lake and Vietnam's delta, both vital sources of food and income for millions of people on the Lower Mekong.
"Fish in the Mekong, they are both food and also economics. About one third of the economy of Cambodia at the moment relies on the exporting of fish (from the lake) to other countries, especially Thailand," Mr Anond said.
In Vietnam, a deputy minister of natural resources and environment warned the Xayaburi Dam would greatly affect Vietnam's agricultural production and aquaculture.
Reduced fresh water flows into the Mekong Delta in Vietnam would lead to greater saltwater intrusion into agricultural soils damaging rice output from the delta - the rice bowl of the country.
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/australia-urged-to-help-halt-mekong-dam-20110310-1bp03.html
March 10, 2011
Environmental groups want Australia's help to halt a $3.5 billion hydro-electricity power project on the Mekong River which has pitted our South-East Asian neighbours against each other.
Thailand and Laos want to press ahead with the Xayaburi Dam project, but Australia - through the Mekong River Commission (MRC) - has backed concerns by Vietnam and Cambodia over project.
The Xayaburi Dam in Laos is the first of 11 proposed hydropower developments on the lower Mekong River.
Concerns have been raised about the dam's impact on the biodiversity of the river and the 40 million people who depend on it for their livelihoods.
The United States has already called for development to be deferred for 10 years to allow further environmental impact studies to be carried out.
Environmental groups in Australia have also pressed Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd to back calls for a stay on hydro-power development along the river.
Ame Trandem, a representative for environmental group International Rivers, says Australia needs to step up pressure on the commission given fears of the wider impact hydropower dams will have on the Mekong River.
"Australia should be applying more pressure on the Mekong River Commission to make sure that the four countries take a precautionary approach to the dams and that they are fully informed and aware of the impact the dams will cause," Ms Trandem said.
A decision on the project by the commission could come as early as March 22.
The Laos-based MRC is internationally donor sponsored, with Australia a key contributor.
The MRC advises the four countries - Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam - over the direction of development on the Mekong River.
Laos, in official statements, says it sees no reason for delaying the Xayaburi Dam, having met all legal, environmental and social measures.
In 2007, Laos signed a memorandum of understanding to sell 95 per cent of the electricity produced by the Xayaburi project to Thailand.
Financing and construction for the $3.5 billion development is also set to come from Thai banks and construction companies.
University of New South Wales political analyst, Carl Thayer, says Australia faces difficult diplomatic times given Thailand and Laos' ambition to press on with the Xayaburi hydro-power development.
"Vietnam's got Australia's ears," Mr Thayer said.
"Laos needs the money from selling electricity. All northeast Thailand and Vietnam are importers of electricity from Laos - it cuts the other way," he said.
"By Australia and environmentalists raising it, it is because the scientific evidence isn't clear enough. And be careful what you wish for because it could do irrevocable damage for downstream states," he told AAP.
"There's no win-win situation for Australia because each country (has its) own national interest in getting... the water and using its flow."
The 4900-kilometre Mekong River starts in the Tibetan Plateau, running through southern China, Laos, Thailand, and Cambodia and onto the Vietnam's delta region to the South China Sea.
China has gone ahead with programs to dam the upper Mekong, while the Xayaburi Dam is the first planned construction on the lower Mekong's mainstream.
Climatologist Anond Snidvongs from Chulalongkorn University says dams will impact the region's agriculture.
"Dams are definitely going to affect the biodiversity, that's one thing. It's very clear and very well proven," he said.
Of key concern is the impact on fisheries on Cambodia's Ton Le Sap Lake and Vietnam's delta, both vital sources of food and income for millions of people on the Lower Mekong.
"Fish in the Mekong, they are both food and also economics. About one third of the economy of Cambodia at the moment relies on the exporting of fish (from the lake) to other countries, especially Thailand," Mr Anond said.
In Vietnam, a deputy minister of natural resources and environment warned the Xayaburi Dam would greatly affect Vietnam's agricultural production and aquaculture.
Reduced fresh water flows into the Mekong Delta in Vietnam would lead to greater saltwater intrusion into agricultural soils damaging rice output from the delta - the rice bowl of the country.
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/australia-urged-to-help-halt-mekong-dam-20110310-1bp03.html
Push to Build Dams Sparks New Warnings Over Mekong River's Future
March 04, 2011
Ron Corben | Bangkok
Governments along the Mekong River are nearing a decision on plans to build a hydropower dam in Laos. Environmentalists fear that a planned series of dams will damage the environment, and the livelihoods of the people living along the Mekong.
In northern Laos, the government plans to build the Xayaburi hydropower dam, capable of generating 1,260 megawatts of electricity – on the main stream of the lower Mekong River.
It is the first of 12 dams planned for the Mekong. The Southeast Asian governments involved say the dams will be a clean source of energy for a rapidly developing region and will help cut poverty.
The $3.5 billion Xayaburi project is being built in cooperation with Thailand, which will buy almost all of the electricity it generates.
It is the first project requiring approval by the four governments along the lower Mekong – Laos, Thailand Cambodia and Vietnam – under a consultative process overseen by the Mekong River Commission.
The governments could present their decision later this month.
Under a 1995 agreement the four countries are to cooperate to ensure sustainable development along the 4,900-kilometer Mekong system.
Environmentalists say the consultations have not been transparent and that plans for the dams have not had adequate local debate or study.
Ame Trandem is with the environmental group International Rivers. She says the governments have not reached a point where they can make informed decisions.
"This is why it recommended deferring the decisions for the next 10 years,” Trandem said. “And we feel the Xayaburi consultation process right now should be halted in order to allow that 10 year deferment so people can understand the Mekong River better."
The Mekong River Commission, which is funded by countries that include Australia, New Zealand, the European Union and the United States, recommends that the Xayaburi project be deferred. The commission says more work is needed to assess the effect of having 12 hydropower dams.
But the Lao government says it sees no reason for delay, and that the government has met all legal, environmental and social requirements.
Climatologist Anond Snidvongs at Thailand’s Chulalongorn University says while dams regulate water flows, they can harm biodiversity and the economy.
"It’s very clear and very well proven. Fish in the Mekong, they are both food and also economics,” Trandem said. “About one-third of the economy of Cambodia at the moment relies on the exporting those fish to other countries, especially Thailand."
Environmentalists such as International River’s Trandem say millions of people will be affected.
"When we look into the future if these dams are built the future is going to be very grim,” Trandem added. “People will be poor because they have lost their main source of income - fisheries - people will also not have enough food to eat. This is a huge worry."
Environmentalists are pressing the four Mekong governments to stall the Xayaburi program to further assess the long-term implications for both the Mekong River and its people.
http://www.voanews.com/english/news/environment/Push-to-build-dams-sparks-new-warnings-over-Mekong-Rivers-Future-117396313.html
Ron Corben | Bangkok
Governments along the Mekong River are nearing a decision on plans to build a hydropower dam in Laos. Environmentalists fear that a planned series of dams will damage the environment, and the livelihoods of the people living along the Mekong.
In northern Laos, the government plans to build the Xayaburi hydropower dam, capable of generating 1,260 megawatts of electricity – on the main stream of the lower Mekong River.
It is the first of 12 dams planned for the Mekong. The Southeast Asian governments involved say the dams will be a clean source of energy for a rapidly developing region and will help cut poverty.
The $3.5 billion Xayaburi project is being built in cooperation with Thailand, which will buy almost all of the electricity it generates.
It is the first project requiring approval by the four governments along the lower Mekong – Laos, Thailand Cambodia and Vietnam – under a consultative process overseen by the Mekong River Commission.
The governments could present their decision later this month.
Under a 1995 agreement the four countries are to cooperate to ensure sustainable development along the 4,900-kilometer Mekong system.
Environmentalists say the consultations have not been transparent and that plans for the dams have not had adequate local debate or study.
Ame Trandem is with the environmental group International Rivers. She says the governments have not reached a point where they can make informed decisions.
"This is why it recommended deferring the decisions for the next 10 years,” Trandem said. “And we feel the Xayaburi consultation process right now should be halted in order to allow that 10 year deferment so people can understand the Mekong River better."
The Mekong River Commission, which is funded by countries that include Australia, New Zealand, the European Union and the United States, recommends that the Xayaburi project be deferred. The commission says more work is needed to assess the effect of having 12 hydropower dams.
But the Lao government says it sees no reason for delay, and that the government has met all legal, environmental and social requirements.
Climatologist Anond Snidvongs at Thailand’s Chulalongorn University says while dams regulate water flows, they can harm biodiversity and the economy.
"It’s very clear and very well proven. Fish in the Mekong, they are both food and also economics,” Trandem said. “About one-third of the economy of Cambodia at the moment relies on the exporting those fish to other countries, especially Thailand."
Environmentalists such as International River’s Trandem say millions of people will be affected.
"When we look into the future if these dams are built the future is going to be very grim,” Trandem added. “People will be poor because they have lost their main source of income - fisheries - people will also not have enough food to eat. This is a huge worry."
Environmentalists are pressing the four Mekong governments to stall the Xayaburi program to further assess the long-term implications for both the Mekong River and its people.
http://www.voanews.com/english/news/environment/Push-to-build-dams-sparks-new-warnings-over-Mekong-Rivers-Future-117396313.html
Thursday, September 16, 2010
'Asian unicorn' dies after capture in Laos
A saola, or 'Asian unicorn', like the one which died after villagers took it into captivity in a remote region of Laos. Photograph: Bolikhamxay Provincial Conservation Unit/PARare saola caught by villagers and shown to conservationists was thought to be one of only a few hundred left in the wild
Helen Pidd and agencies
Thursday 16 September 2010
13.34 BST
It is one of the rarest animals in the world, a horned beast sighted so rarely it is nicknamed "the Asian unicorn".
So when villagers in a remote region of Laos became the first people in a decade to spot a saola they were keen to keep the antelope-like creature, which has large white streaks of fur that look like eyebrows.
But in their enthusiasm to protect it they may have killed the animal. It died last month after a few days in captivity, conservationists said.
The critically endangered mammal is found in the mountains of Vietnam and Laos. It was discovered in 1992.
The saola looks similar to the antelope of North Africa but is more closely related to wild cattle and is likened to the mythical unicorn because of its rarity.
It has never been seen by conservation experts in the wild and the last confirmed sighting was from automated cameras in 1999.
The species is listed as critically endangered, with just a few hundred thought to exist in the wild. There are none in zoos and almost nothing is known about how to keep them in captivity, meaning if they vanish in the wild they will be extinct.
The Lao government said villagers in the country's central province of Bolikhamxay captured the saola in late August and brought it to their village.
When news of the capture reached the authorities a team was sent, advised by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) to examine and release the animal.
But the adult male saola died shortly after the team reached the remote village. It was photographed while still alive.
The IUCN's saola expert William Robichaud said:
"We hope the information gained from the incident can be used to ensure that this is not the last saola anyone has a chance to see."
The provincial conservation unit of Bolikhamxay province said the animal's death was "unfortunate" but the incident confirmed an area where it was still found and the government would immediately strengthen conservation efforts there.
Dr Pierre Comizzoli, a member of the IUCN saola working group, said study of the animal's carcass could yield some good.
"Our lack of knowledge of saola biology is a major constraint to efforts to conserve it. This can be a major step forward in understanding this remarkable and mysterious species."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/sep/16/saola-dies-after-capture-in-laos
See also: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1312558/Asian-unicorn-spotted-time-1999-DIES-captured.html
'Asian unicorn' dies after capture in Laos
A saola, or 'Asian unicorn', like the one which died after villagers took it into captivity in a remote region of Laos. Photograph: Bolikhamxay Provincial Conservation Unit/PARare saola caught by villagers and shown to conservationists was thought to be one of only a few hundred left in the wild
Helen Pidd and agencies
Thursday 16 September 2010
13.34 BST
It is one of the rarest animals in the world, a horned beast sighted so rarely it is nicknamed "the Asian unicorn".
So when villagers in a remote region of Laos became the first people in a decade to spot a saola they were keen to keep the antelope-like creature, which has large white streaks of fur that look like eyebrows.
But in their enthusiasm to protect it they may have killed the animal. It died last month after a few days in captivity, conservationists said.
The critically endangered mammal is found in the mountains of Vietnam and Laos. It was discovered in 1992.
The saola looks similar to the antelope of North Africa but is more closely related to wild cattle and is likened to the mythical unicorn because of its rarity.
It has never been seen by conservation experts in the wild and the last confirmed sighting was from automated cameras in 1999.
The species is listed as critically endangered, with just a few hundred thought to exist in the wild. There are none in zoos and almost nothing is known about how to keep them in captivity, meaning if they vanish in the wild they will be extinct.
The Lao government said villagers in the country's central province of Bolikhamxay captured the saola in late August and brought it to their village.
When news of the capture reached the authorities a team was sent, advised by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) to examine and release the animal.
But the adult male saola died shortly after the team reached the remote village. It was photographed while still alive.
The IUCN's saola expert William Robichaud said:
"We hope the information gained from the incident can be used to ensure that this is not the last saola anyone has a chance to see."
The provincial conservation unit of Bolikhamxay province said the animal's death was "unfortunate" but the incident confirmed an area where it was still found and the government would immediately strengthen conservation efforts there.
Dr Pierre Comizzoli, a member of the IUCN saola working group, said study of the animal's carcass could yield some good.
"Our lack of knowledge of saola biology is a major constraint to efforts to conserve it. This can be a major step forward in understanding this remarkable and mysterious species."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/sep/16/saola-dies-after-capture-in-laos
See also: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1312558/Asian-unicorn-spotted-time-1999-DIES-captured.html
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