Battambang ( Khmer : បាត់ដំបង , Bătdâmbâng [ɓatɗɑmɓɑːŋ] , lit. ' The Lost Stick ' ) is a province of Cambodia in the far northwest of the country. Bordering provinces are Banteay Meanchey to the north, Pursat to the east and south, Siem Reap to the northeast, and Pailin to the west. The northern and southern extremes of the province's western boundaries form part of the international border with Thailand . In addition, Tonlé Sap forms part of the northeastern boundary between Siem Reap and Pursat. Its capital and largest city is Battambang .
37-566: It is the fifth most populous province in Cambodia. In land area, Battambang is the fifth largest province of Cambodia. Battambang is one of the provinces included in the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve . The province's fertile rice fields have led to a mostly agricultural economy giving rise to the moniker "the rice bowl of Cambodia". The province features a range of cultures as well as natural resources. Seventy five percent of
74-411: A challenge for sustainable development and conservation to coexist. It is also of vital importance. During the recent past the number of large fish caught has declined and the poor people who live around the lake are having an even more difficult time providing for themselves and their families. This creates a vicious cycle of increasing poverty, and in turn increasing threats and danger to the lake. This
111-675: A clutch of 20 Siamese crocodiles. These eggs were then incubated at the Laos Zoo . This project represents a new effort by WCS to conserve the biodiversity and habitat of Laos’ Savannakhet Province , promotes conservation of biodiversity for the whole landscape, and relies on community involvement from local residents. In September 2021, eight hatchlings were found in a wildlife sanctuary in eastern Cambodia. In Cambodia 's Southern Cardamom National Park , sixty Siamese crocodiles from five distinct nests successfully hatched in July 2024. This marks
148-631: A massive dam in the river. During the heavy monsoon period of June–November, Siamese crocodiles take advantage of the increase in water levels to move out of the river and onto large lakes and other local bodies of water, returning to their original habitat once water levels start receding back to their usual levels. The Cambodian Crocodile Conservation Programme conducted DNA analysis of 69 crocodiles in Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre in Cambodia 2009, and found 35 of them were purebred C. siamensis . Conservationists from
185-421: A project to reintroduce Siamese crocodile into the wild. A number of young crocodiles have been released into a small and remote river in the park, not accessible to visitors. The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is working with the government of Laos on a new programme to save this critically endangered crocodile and its wetland habitat. In August, 2011, a press release announced the successful hatching of
222-575: A solution that provides sustainability for all user groups and protects the biosphere reserve at the same time. The Secretariat is also responsible for developing and maintaining a web based knowledge repository for information about the lake and the biosphere. This website contains over 10,000 textual documents, over 150 tables and over 200 maps all relevant to the biosphere. 12°45′00″N 103°49′48″E / 12.7500°N 103.8300°E / 12.7500; 103.8300 Siamese crocodile The Siamese crocodile ( Crocodylus siamensis )
259-650: A tiny population in Thailand (possibly as few as two individuals, discounting recent reintroductions ), a small population in Vietnam (possibly fewer than 100 individuals), Cat Tien National Park has about 200, and a more sizeable population in Laos . In March 2005, conservationists found a nest containing juvenile Siamese crocodiles in the southern Lao province of Savannakhet . There are no recent records from Malaysia , Burma or Brunei . A small but important population of
296-412: A weight of 40 to 120 kg (88 to 265 lb) as an adult. Three individuals measuring 2.12 to 2.63 m (6 ft 11 in – 8 ft 8 in) and weighing 40–87 kg (88–192 lb) had bite force of 2,073–4,577 N (466–1,029 lb f ). Large male individuals reach 4 m (13 ft 1 in) and 350 kg (770 lb) in weight. Siamese crocodiles occur in
333-402: A wide range of freshwater habitats, including slow-moving rivers and streams , lakes , seasonal oxbow lakes , marshes and swamps . Despite conservation concerns, many aspects of C. siamensis life history in the wild remain unknown, particularly regarding its reproductive biology. Adults feed mainly on fish and snakes , but also eat amphibians and small mammals . Very little
370-565: Is a medium-sized freshwater crocodile native to Indonesia ( Borneo and possibly Java ), Brunei , East Malaysia , Laos , Cambodia , Myanmar , Thailand and Vietnam . The species is critically endangered and already extirpated from many regions. Its other common names include Siamese freshwater crocodile, Singapore small-grain, and soft-belly. Below is a cladogram based on a 2018 tip dating study by Lee & Yates simultaneously using morphological , molecular ( DNA sequencing ), and stratigraphic ( fossil age) data, as revised by
407-436: Is a medium-sized, freshwater crocodilian , with a relatively broad, smooth snout and an elevated, bony crest behind each eye. Overall, it is olive-green, with some variation to dark-green. Young individuals measure 1.2 to 1.5 m (3 ft 11 in – 4 ft 11 in) and weigh 6 to 12 kg (13 to 26 lb), growing to a length of 2.1 to 3 m (6 ft 11 in – 9 ft 10 in) and
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#1732776234173444-753: Is a unique ecological phenomenon surrounding the Tonlé Sap or Great Lake of Cambodia . In 1997, it was successfully nominated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve . The lake is linked to the Mekong River by the Tonlé Sap River . From November until June the lake flows into the Mekong. However, each year during the rainy season (mid June-late October) the Mekong River is inundated with rain waters. Its lower delta becomes flooded and cannot flow into
481-685: Is also why 2 of the functions of the Royal Decree support education and support for the people living around the lake. A TSBR Secretariat was established to further the goal of protecting the biosphere and implement and support the functions of the Royal Decree. Since 2003 the Cambodian Government has supported the TSBR Secretariat with funding from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The major goal of
518-489: Is an ongoing threat, as well as incidental capture/drowning in fishing nets and traps. The Siamese crocodile currently has extremely low and fragmented remaining populations with little proven reproduction in the wild. Siamese crocodiles have historically been captured for skins and to stock commercial crocodile farms. In 1945, skin hunting for commercial farms was banned by the French colonial administration of Cambodia. In
555-401: Is known about the natural history of this species in the wild, but females build mound-nests constructed from scraped-up plant debris mixed with mud. In captivity, these crocodiles breed during the wet season (April to May), laying between 15 and 50 eggs, which are then guarded until they hatch. After incubation , the female will assist her young as they break out of their eggs and then carry
592-1016: The 2021 Hekkala et al. paleogenomics study using DNA extracted from the extinct Voay . Voay † Crocodylus anthropophagus † Crocodylus thorbjarnarsoni † Crocodylus palaeindicus † Crocodylus Tirari Desert † Crocodylus johnstoni Freshwater crocodile [REDACTED] Crocodylus novaeguineae New Guinea crocodile Crocodylus mindorensis Philippine crocodile Crocodylus porosus Saltwater crocodile [REDACTED] Crocodylus siamensis Siamese crocodile [REDACTED] Crocodylus palustris Mugger crocodile [REDACTED] Crocodylus checchiai † Crocodylus falconensis † Crocodylus suchus West African crocodile Crocodylus niloticus Nile crocodile [REDACTED] Crocodylus moreletii Morelet's crocodile Crocodylus rhombifer Cuban crocodile [REDACTED] Crocodylus intermedius Orinoco crocodile Crocodylus acutus American crocodile [REDACTED] The Siamese crocodile
629-544: The Forestry Administration and Fauna and Flora International subsequently launched a conservation breeding program at the Centre. Since 2012, approximately 50 purebred Cambodian Siamese crocodiles have been released into community-protected areas to reinforce the depleted wild populations. Poaching is a severe threat to this species, with the value of wild Siamese crocodiles reaching hundreds of dollars in
666-460: The Great Lake. Some people still live in these areas and are allowed to fish in them according to fishery law in Cambodia. Illegal fishing and poaching are major problems which threaten the fish population. Cutting of the flooded forest to make room for farming is also a serious issue. Many of the people who live around the lake are extremely poor and depend on it for their livelihoods. It is
703-619: The Secretariat is to develop a coordinated management strategy. Coordinated management is important because different stakeholders have various objectives. For example, farmers build channels to irrigate their fields. However, this leaves less water in fishing areas. Or farmers use pesticides on their crops which can get into the water; then people who live on the lake use this same water for bathing and other household uses and can become sick. This creates conflicts between user groups. The TSBR Secretariat attempts to lower these conflicts and find
740-506: The area is jungles and mountains. The area has a tropical climate. Battambang literally means '[to] lose [a] stick' in Khmer , referring to the local legend of Preah Bat Dambang Kranhoung. No stone inscriptions from the pre-Angkorian and Angkorian eras have yet been discovered containing mention of any contemporary villages or districts called "Battambang", but according to the document Mohachun Khmer , Srok Battambang (Battambang District)
777-523: The black market, where they are illegally taken into crocodile farms and hybridized with other, larger species. The total wild population is unknown, since most groups are in isolated areas where access is extremely complicated. A number of captively held individuals are the result of hybridization with the saltwater crocodile , but several thousand "pure" individuals do exist in captivity, and are regularly bred at crocodile farms, especially in Thailand. Pang Sida National Park in Thailand, near Cambodia, has
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#1732776234173814-700: The crocodiles is also known to live in East Kalimantan , Indonesia. Factors causing loss of habitat include: conversion of wetlands for agriculture, chemical fertilisers use, use of pesticides in rice production, and an increase in the population of cattle. The effects of warfare stemming from the conflicts in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia during the Vietnam War (from land mines to aerial bombardment) have also been factored. Many river systems, including those in protected areas, have hydroelectric power dams approved or proposed, which are likely to cause
851-675: The government of Cambodia to fulfil 3 key functions. These are: The Biosphere has been divided into 3 core areas for protection. These are; Prek Toal in Battambang Province , Boeng Tonle Chhmar in Kampong Thom Province and Stoeng Sen also in Kompong Thom. Boeng Tonle Chhmar has been selected as a Ramsar Convention site, which designates wetlands of international importance. The core areas function similar to national park areas and cover 42,300 ha. including
888-409: The hatchlings to the water in her jaws. Pure, unhybridised examples of this species are generally unaggressive towards humans, and there are only four confirmed attacks, none of them fatal. One was defending its young, another was probably defending itself, one was provoked, and the reason for the last is unclear. A fifth attack in 1928 that was probably done by a Siamese crocodile was fatal, with
925-551: The lake and Mekong River. Both Siamese crocodiles (Crocodylus siamensis) and saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) once occurred side-by-side in the lake, and there is thought to be inter-species breeding amongst the crocodiles found in the floating farms on the western part of the Lake in and around Prek Toal. In 2001, the Tonlé Sap Biosphere Reserve (TSBR) of Cambodia was established by Royal Decree of
962-494: The largest wild breeding record of the species this century and significantly enhances the survival prospects of this critically endangered reptile. High priority projects include: Other projects include: A Malay folktale features a crocodile that is outwitted by a mouse-deer and buffaloes. A Siamese crocodile has been cited in the Thai folklore of Central Thailand 's Krai Thong ("ไกรทอง") tales have known as well, and
999-645: The late 1940s, populations spurred the development of farms and harvesting wild crocodiles for stocking these farms. Protection was abolished by the Khmer Rouge (1975–79) but later reinstated under Article 18 of the Fishery Law of 1987, which "forbids the catching, selling, and transportation of...[wild] crocodiles..." Crocodile farming now has a huge economic impact in the provinces surrounding Tonle Sap, where 396 farms held over 20,000 crocodiles in 1998. Also, many crocodiles were exported from Cambodia since
1036-525: The loss of about half of the remaining breeding colonies within the next ten years. One cause for habitat degradation via hydrological changes, for the Siamese crocodile, is the implementation of dams on the upper Mekong River and its major tributaries. Potential impacts of dam construction include wetland loss and altered flooding cycle with a dry season flow 50% greater than under natural conditions. Illegal capture of wild crocodiles for supply to farms
1073-470: The mid-1980s to stock commercial farms in Thailand, Vietnam, and China. Despite legal protection, a profitable market exists for the capture and sale of crocodiles to farms since the early 1980s. Chronic hunting has led to the decline of the wild Siamese crocodile. This crocodile is classified as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List , and is listed on Appendix I of CITES . It is one of
1110-600: The most endangered crocodiles in the wild, although it is extensively bred in captivity. Yayasan Ulin (The Ironwood Foundation) ran a small project to conserve an important wetland habitat in the area of East Kalimantan which is known to contain the crocodiles. In Cambodia Fauna and Flora International and the Government of Cambodia's Forestry Administration have established the Cambodian Crocodile Conservation Programme for
1147-532: The protection and recovery of Siamese crocodiles. This programme works with a network of indigenous villages who are helping to protect key sites such as Veal Veng Marsh (Veal Veng District), the Tatai River (Thmar Bang District) and the Araeng River. The latter is considered to have the second largest population of Siamese crocodiles in the world, but is currently threatened by the proposed construction of
Battambang province - Misplaced Pages Continue
1184-591: The sea quickly enough to eliminate all the excess water. This causes the Mekong River to rise enough to reverse the flow of the Tonlé Sap River causing it to flow back into the lake. The lake expands from 2500 km to more than 16,000 km creating an enormous wetland area. This wetland area supports a tremendous amount of biodiversity including plants, reptiles, mammals, birds and other animals. Many of these are known to be rare or endangered. These wetlands are also an important breeding area for fish from
1221-557: The victim being a child. Siamese crocodiles are under threat from human disturbance and habitat occupation, which is forcing remaining populations to the edges of their former range. Extinct from 99% of its original range, the Siamese crocodile is considered one of the least studied and most critically endangered crocodilians in the world. Although few wild populations remain, more than 700,000 C. siamensis are held on commercial crocodile farms in Southeast Asia. In 1992, it
1258-1897: Was annexed to Imperial Japan before being handed over to Thailand. After the war ended, it was returned to an independent Cambodia. -Annexed to Siam (1795-1907) 1 Baen (បែន) 1795-1809 2 Pen (ប៉ែន) 1809-1816 3 Rous (រស់) 1816-1835 4 Norng (នង) 1835-? 5 Yea (Nhonh) យារ (ញ៉ុញ) ?-1894 6 Chhum (ឈុំ) 1894-1907 -Returned to Cambodia by France (1907-1941) 7 Aem Arun (អែម អរុណ) 1907-1922 8 Chea (ជា) 1922-1927 9 Noun (នួន) 1927-1934 10 Chong Toun (ចុង ទួន) 1934-1939 11 Meas Nal (មាស ណាល់) 1939-1941 -Recaptured by Siam during Japanese Occupation (1941-1946) 12. Phromyothi (ព្រហ្មយោធី) 1941-1946 -Returned to Cambodia and independent from France 13 Lon Nol (លន់ នល់) 1946-1947 14 Sin Chhoy (ស៊ីន ឆយ) 1947-1948 13 Lon Nol (លន់ នល់) 1948-1949 (2nd term) 15 Tep Phan (ទេព ផន) 1949-1951 16 Pho Preung (ផូ ព្រឿង) 1951-1954 17 Chay Thol (ចាយ ធុល) 1954-1956 15 Tep Phan (ទេព ផន) 1956-1959 (2nd term) 18 Tim Ngoun (ទឹម ងួន) 1959-1966 19 Yem Monitoth (យ៉ែម មុនីរ័ត្ន) 1966-1967 20 In Tam (អ៊ិន តាំ) 1967-1968 18 Tim Ngoun (ទឹម ងួន) April-October 1968 (2nd term) 21 Sek Somoeut (សេក សំអៀត) 1968-1974 22 Sar Hor (សារ ហោ) 1974-January 1975 21 Sek Somoeut (សេក សំអៀត) January -April 1975 (2nd term) -Khmer Rouge (1975-1979) 22 Rous Nhim (រស់ ញឹម) 1975-1978 23 Ta Mok (តាម៉ុក) 1978-1979 -Kampuchea (People’s Republic) 24 Keo Thy (កែវ ធី) 1979-1980 25 Lay Samon (ឡាយ សាម៉ុន) 1980-1982 26 Sum Sat (ស៊ុំ សាត) 1982-1984 27 Ke Kim Yan (កែ គឹមយ៉ាន) 1984-1986 28 Sok Saran (សុក សារ៉ាន់) 1986-1991 -Kingdom of Cambodia 29 Ong Sami (អ៊ុង សាមី) 1991-1999 30 Nov Sam (នៅ សំ) 1999-2001 31 Brach Chan (ប្រាជ្ញ ចន្ទ) 2001-2014 32 Chan Sophal (ច័ន្ទ សុផល) 2014-2017 33 Ngoun Ratanak (ងួន រតនៈ) 2017-2021 Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve The Tonlé Sap Biosphere Reserve
1295-604: Was believed to be extremely close to or fully extinct in the wild until 2000 when scientists from Fauna and Flora International and the Government of Cambodia's Forestry Administration confirmed the presence of Siamese crocodiles in the Cardamom Mountains in Southwest Cambodia. Since then, surveys have identified around 30 sites in Cambodia that contain wild Siamese crocodiles (conservatively estimated to number between 200 and 400 individuals in total),
1332-485: Was taken to create a television series and movies several times. In Vietnam a major literary juncture occurred in 1282 when a troublesome crocodile came to inhabit a stretch of the Red River . The scholar Nguyễn Thuyên wrote "Ode to the crocodile" and threw it into the river as an appeal to the beast whereupon the crocodile departed. It was remarkable as historians recorded it as one of the first pieces ever written in
1369-631: Was used during the Angkor and post-Angkor eras. In Thai , the province is called Phra Tabong . Battambang was annexed by both Siam and Cambodia from time to time because its location is in between both kingdoms. A majority of the local population is of Khonpor or Chong ethnicity, a part of the Austro-Asiatic family. In 1769, Battambang and Siem Reap were conquered by King Taksin of Siam. On March 23, 1907, Battambang, with Siem Reap and Koh Kong, were annexed to French Indochina. During World War II it
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