Successful Crocodile Hatching: a First in Seven Years!

For the first time in seven years, freshwater crocodile offspring has been spotted in Thailand’s largest freshwater swamp and lake, a testimony of a healthy and well-balanced ecosystem and efficient measures to not disturb the reptile’s habitat.

A total of 35 freshwater crocodiles with eggs laid in two nests – the first one containing five and the other three. It is the first time in seven years that eggs hatched into hatchlings; the previous crocodile eggs found turned out to be infertile.

The crocodiles were found following a survey of the 21,486-hectare Bueng Boraphet Wildlife Sanctuary, Thailand’s largest freshwater swamp and lake in Nakhon Sawan province, including the Bueng Boraphet Non-Hunting Zone spanning 10,724 hectares of wetland. The successful hatching of crocodile eggs into hatchlings is due to the rich biodiversity of the ecosystem, suitable weather conditions, and a peaceful habitat. Indeed, local communities and tourists cooperated, and no disturbances or illegal activities in the area were reported. The Siamese crocodile is classified as critically endangered in the wild on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora list.