Animals
Garrett Cooper
According to Lonely Planet, “Cambodia is
home to an estimated 212 species of mammal, including tigers, elephants, bears,
leopards and wild oxen.” In addition to this list, other interesting
mammals include the pileated gibbon, the slow loris, and the binturong which is
nicknamed the bear cat. There are 720 species of bird in Cambodia, in part
from the extensive waterways (LP1) making it a great bird watching
destination. 240 species of reptile can be found in Cambodia, 9 of which
are snakes whose venom is potentially fatal. “In terms of fish
biodiversity, the Mekong is second only to the Amazon…” (LP2). Species
include the critically endangered giant cat fish which can weigh over 660
pounds, and the fresh water Irrawaddy dolphins. I saw several of these dolphins on my
last expedition down the Mekong, and hope to see several more of these fast
disappearing animals.
I remember hearing about the endangered fresh water dolphins
when I was a kid, back then it didn’t even cross my mind that I might see them
someday. While the Irrawaddy dolphin can live in fresh or salt water, it is rarely
seen at sea. According to Lonely Planet, “The dark blue to grey cetaceans grow to
2.75m long and are recognizable by their bulging foreheads and small dorsal
fins.”(LP3) Before the civil war and the Pol Pot regime, Cambodia was said
to have as many as one thousand dolphins. During the war, dolphins
were hunted for their oils, and since then the numbers have continued to drop,
even with strict protection measures in place. According to National Geographic
Cambodia, “Between 2004 and 2008, an average of 75 percent of newborn calves
mysteriously died each year and an average of 16 adults perished from various
causes. The Mekong population was estimated at 66 to 86 dolphins
(the largest group in the world) in 2007.” Our proposed route covers the entire
Mekong Irrawaddy Dolphin habitat which is one of only five in the world.
The last one to be seen on the Srepok was in 2005. With a dwindling
population like this, it is unlikely the species will survive much longer.
The amazing biodiversity of Cambodia also has a disheartening list of endangered
species due to the cycle of war and peace, and poaching. Endangered
animals “include the Asian elephant, tiger, banteng, gaur, Asian golden cat,
black gibbon, clouded leopard, fishing cat, marbled cat, sun bear, pangolin,
giant ibis and Siamese crocodile.” (LP3)
Siamese Crocodiles grow to about 12 feet, and though they are very
endangered, we know we will be sharing the water with some very large
crocs. Because of the mileage of this expedition, we can’t even try to
convince ourselves that we won’t be near them.
A concern, not just for the Irrawaddy dolphin but for all life in and near the
water is the growing number of dams up stream, which are being built by
China. Already the water doesn’t rise as much as it used to during the
monsoon season, and there are several more dams on the way. More dams will
have serious adverse effects on the ecosystem and livelihood of the people who
rely on the rivers. There are dams on the Srepok which are supposed to have
construction started this year, I hope it is postponed or canceled but this is unlikely.
(LP1) see Animals. (LP2), (LP3) see pg. 321. (LP4), (LP5) see pg. 225 in Lonely Planet Cambodia.
(NG2) see Tonle Sap in National Geographic Cambodia.
References
Ranges, Trevor. (2010). National Geographic Traveler: Cambodia. National Geographic.
Ray, Nick& Bloom, Greg. (2012). Lonely Planet: Cambodia (8th ed.). Lonely Planet.
Garrett Cooper
According to Lonely Planet, “Cambodia is
home to an estimated 212 species of mammal, including tigers, elephants, bears,
leopards and wild oxen.” In addition to this list, other interesting
mammals include the pileated gibbon, the slow loris, and the binturong which is
nicknamed the bear cat. There are 720 species of bird in Cambodia, in part
from the extensive waterways (LP1) making it a great bird watching
destination. 240 species of reptile can be found in Cambodia, 9 of which
are snakes whose venom is potentially fatal. “In terms of fish
biodiversity, the Mekong is second only to the Amazon…” (LP2). Species
include the critically endangered giant cat fish which can weigh over 660
pounds, and the fresh water Irrawaddy dolphins. I saw several of these dolphins on my
last expedition down the Mekong, and hope to see several more of these fast
disappearing animals.
I remember hearing about the endangered fresh water dolphins
when I was a kid, back then it didn’t even cross my mind that I might see them
someday. While the Irrawaddy dolphin can live in fresh or salt water, it is rarely
seen at sea. According to Lonely Planet, “The dark blue to grey cetaceans grow to
2.75m long and are recognizable by their bulging foreheads and small dorsal
fins.”(LP3) Before the civil war and the Pol Pot regime, Cambodia was said
to have as many as one thousand dolphins. During the war, dolphins
were hunted for their oils, and since then the numbers have continued to drop,
even with strict protection measures in place. According to National Geographic
Cambodia, “Between 2004 and 2008, an average of 75 percent of newborn calves
mysteriously died each year and an average of 16 adults perished from various
causes. The Mekong population was estimated at 66 to 86 dolphins
(the largest group in the world) in 2007.” Our proposed route covers the entire
Mekong Irrawaddy Dolphin habitat which is one of only five in the world.
The last one to be seen on the Srepok was in 2005. With a dwindling
population like this, it is unlikely the species will survive much longer.
The amazing biodiversity of Cambodia also has a disheartening list of endangered
species due to the cycle of war and peace, and poaching. Endangered
animals “include the Asian elephant, tiger, banteng, gaur, Asian golden cat,
black gibbon, clouded leopard, fishing cat, marbled cat, sun bear, pangolin,
giant ibis and Siamese crocodile.” (LP3)
Siamese Crocodiles grow to about 12 feet, and though they are very
endangered, we know we will be sharing the water with some very large
crocs. Because of the mileage of this expedition, we can’t even try to
convince ourselves that we won’t be near them.
A concern, not just for the Irrawaddy dolphin but for all life in and near the
water is the growing number of dams up stream, which are being built by
China. Already the water doesn’t rise as much as it used to during the
monsoon season, and there are several more dams on the way. More dams will
have serious adverse effects on the ecosystem and livelihood of the people who
rely on the rivers. There are dams on the Srepok which are supposed to have
construction started this year, I hope it is postponed or canceled but this is unlikely.
(LP1) see Animals. (LP2), (LP3) see pg. 321. (LP4), (LP5) see pg. 225 in Lonely Planet Cambodia.
(NG2) see Tonle Sap in National Geographic Cambodia.
References
Ranges, Trevor. (2010). National Geographic Traveler: Cambodia. National Geographic.
Ray, Nick& Bloom, Greg. (2012). Lonely Planet: Cambodia (8th ed.). Lonely Planet.