Cambodian Human Rights Committee Remarks on Recent Case of Detained Soldiers and Thai Response | CMAC Confirms Expertise on MK-84 Bomb as Evidence Supports Cambodia’s Claims | U.S. Pledges Full Support for Cambodia–Thailand Ceasefire in Meeting with General Tea Seiha | UN Agencies Join Government Field Visit to Assess Needs of Displaced Communities in Oddar Meanchey and Siem Reap | Cambodians Worldwide Stand for Peace as PM Pushes for Release of Soldiers Held by Thailand | TOP NEWS: Cambodia and Thailand Agree to Ceasefire and Establish Mechanisms for Border Stability | TOP NEWS: Cambodia, Thailand Reach Critical Agreements in Bid to Ease Border Tensions | TOP NEWS: Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet Nominates Donald Trump for Nobel Peace Prize | U.S. Welcomes Progress in Cambodia-Thailand Ceasefire Efforts | Techo Hun Sen Addresses Escalating Cambodia–Thailand Border Incidents | Japan Welcomes Cambodia-Thailand Ceasefire Mechanism Agreement | BREAKING: Two Malaysian Tourists Set on Fire in Bangkok, Suspect Arrested | Thailand Taps Former Beauty Queen Panadda Wongphudee to Counter Cambodia’s Defence Spokeswoman | BREAKING: THIRD LANDMINE BLAST INJURES THAI TROOPS NEAR CAMBODIAN BORDER, SPARKING DIPLOMATIC CLASH | BREAKING: Thai Patrol Hit by Landmine Near Thai Border—Cambodia Rejects Accusations | BREAKING : Cambodian Mine Authority Denies Thailand’s Allegations of New Landmine Use |
Cambodian Human Rights Committee Remarks on Recent Case of Detained Soldiers and Thai Response | CMAC Confirms Expertise on MK-84 Bomb as Evidence Supports Cambodia’s Claims | U.S. Pledges Full Support for Cambodia–Thailand Ceasefire in Meeting with General Tea Seiha | UN Agencies Join Government Field Visit to Assess Needs of Displaced Communities in Oddar Meanchey and Siem Reap | Cambodians Worldwide Stand for Peace as PM Pushes for Release of Soldiers Held by Thailand | TOP NEWS: Cambodia and Thailand Agree to Ceasefire and Establish Mechanisms for Border Stability | TOP NEWS: Cambodia, Thailand Reach Critical Agreements in Bid to Ease Border Tensions | TOP NEWS: Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet Nominates Donald Trump for Nobel Peace Prize | U.S. Welcomes Progress in Cambodia-Thailand Ceasefire Efforts | Techo Hun Sen Addresses Escalating Cambodia–Thailand Border Incidents | Japan Welcomes Cambodia-Thailand Ceasefire Mechanism Agreement | BREAKING: Two Malaysian Tourists Set on Fire in Bangkok, Suspect Arrested | Thailand Taps Former Beauty Queen Panadda Wongphudee to Counter Cambodia’s Defence Spokeswoman | BREAKING: THIRD LANDMINE BLAST INJURES THAI TROOPS NEAR CAMBODIAN BORDER, SPARKING DIPLOMATIC CLASH | BREAKING: Thai Patrol Hit by Landmine Near Thai Border—Cambodia Rejects Accusations | BREAKING : Cambodian Mine Authority Denies Thailand’s Allegations of New Landmine Use |

Record 234 New Wild Species Discovered in Greater Mekong Region

PHNOM PENH, October 18, 2024 — A report by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), released on December 16, reveals the discovery of 234 new species in the Greater Mekong region in 2023. The findings include a unique lizard, a soft-furred hedgehog, a high-altitude crocodile newt, a freshwater fish popular among aquarium enthusiasts, and a new genus of palm tree.

The report highlights the efforts of hundreds of scientists from universities, conservation organizations, and research institutes worldwide, who documented 173 vascular plants, 26 reptiles, 17 amphibians, 15 fish, and three mammals across Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. Since 1997, a total of 3,623 vascular plants and vertebrate animals have been described in the region.

“Although these species were just recorded by scientists last year, they have been living in their unique habitats of our region for many millennia,” said Chris Hallam, WWF-Asia Pacific regional wildlife lead. “Each species is a critical piece of a functioning, healthy ecosystem and a jewel in the region's rich natural heritage. The researchers, who tirelessly work to document these species under challenging conditions, are equally precious.”

The report notes that many of the newly discovered species are already under threat from human activities. Habitat loss, overexploitation, wildlife trade, climate change, pollution, invasive species, and diseases are among the significant pressures on biodiversity in the Greater Mekong.

“Collections are the memory of life on our planet,” said researcher Gernot Vogel, underscoring the importance of preserving samples collected during fieldwork. These specimens often sit in museums and botanical gardens for years—sometimes decades—before being analyzed and identified.

WWF’s Living Planet Report calls for urgent action to address wildlife declines. The organization collaborates with communities, governments, and stakeholders to better understand species, strengthen conservation measures, and tackle critical threats such as wildlife crime and overexploitation.

This milestone underscores the richness of biodiversity in the Greater Mekong region while serving as a reminder of the critical need for conservation efforts to protect these rare and remarkable species.



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