Siamese Crocodile

Raised in captivity, these critically endangered crocodiles will be released to the wild.

Photo By: M. Douangmyxay / WCS Laos Program

The Wildlife Conservation Society has hatched a clutch of 20 Siamese crocodiles, like the one pictured here, in an effort to bolster the critically endangered species.

The eggs were incubated at the Laos Zoo. The young crocs will be released to the wild after two years in captivity, in order to enhance their chances of survival. The species is threatened by habitat loss, hunting and other factors. The Wildlife Conservation Society is working with local governments not only on rearing crocodiles in captivity, but also on protecting wetlands and the diversity of life there.

At adulthood, these Siamese crocodiles may reach 10 feet in length.

> Related: 11 Recently Extinct Species

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