JOURNAL OF APPLIED ANIMAL SCIENCE
Volume 14, No. 02, Month JULY, Year 2021, Pages 21 - 32
Population assessment of crocodiles in bueng boraphet, thailand
Parntep Ratanakorn, Tatiyanuch Chamsai, Poonyapat Sedwisai, Tat Sujittosakul, Thanaphum Lapjatuporn, Peerawat Wongluechai, Ekasit Tiyanun, Akalak Kunsorn, Somsook Puangdee, Thaweesak Chooma, Kadsirin Mattayasap, Phimchanok Srongmonkol, Jiradej Boonmak, Nareerat Sangkachai
This study aimed to estimate the number and distribution of crocodiles in Bueng Boraphet, Nakhon Sawan
Province, Thailand. The surveys were conducted between November 2017 and August 2018. The data was
obtained from nighttime spotlight and daylight visual surveys using motorboat along two line transects totaling
38 kilometers and covered an area about 7.6 square kilometers of Bueng Boraphet coastal area. Our results
revealed that the number of crocodiles was at least 17 individuals with density of 2.24 individuals per square
kilometers. The calculated population of crocodiles in the Bueng Boraphet was estimated to be about 17-37
individuals. In this study, most crocodiles were found in the first transect line located in the aquatic sanctuary
area where all fishery is strictly prohibited. It shows that human activities directly affect crocodile encounters and
these small numbers of crocodiles in Bueng Boraphet remain critically endangered. Therefore, the implementation
of protection action is a high-priority project that needs to be done first before further restocking can be
undertaken. Bueng Boraphet can be developed into national natural crocodile conservation, while eco-tourism
activities can be expanded in such area. Furthermore, population surveys should be carried out continuously
to determine population dynamics and develop a crocodile surveillance system. At the same time community
engagement should be initiated to support the system to sustainable conservation.
Keywords
Population, Crocodiles, Bueng Boraphet, Thailand