The Greater Mekong is home to some of our planet's rarest species including tiger, Mekong dolphin, Mekong giant catfish, Asian elephant and the Saola, just to name a few...
Spotlighting species
The critically endangered Irrawaddy dolphin, Orcaella brevirostris, photographed at Kratie Province in north-east Cambodia. The Mekong dolphin population is estimated at 70 individuals inhabiting a 190km stretch of the Mekong River between Cambodia and Laos.
Species news
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Inadequate protection causes Javan rhino extinction in Vietnam
WWF and the International Rhino Foundation have confirmed the extinction of the Javan rhinoceros in Vietnam.
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Indonesian tiger smuggler could escape with light sentence
The trial of an Indonesian tiger skin smuggler is making waves after the prosecutor in the case recommended a light sentence.
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Timber firm could axe endangered Amur tiger habitat
The discovery of plans to log key Amur tiger habitat in a proposed UNESCO World Heritage Site has led to a public outcry demanding the cancellation ...
Brimming with wildlife
The Greater Mekong contains some of the richest and most biologically diverse habitats on our planet.
From evergreen and deciduous forests, to mangrove swamps and dry coastal landscapes, the innumerable plant species of these habitats give life to a huge range of wildlife including, rare Asian elephants, Indochinese tigers, and one of only two populations of Javan rhino on the planet.
The Mekong River basin is estimated to house at least 1,300 species of fish, a level of fish diversity rivalled only by the Amazon River basin, which covers an area over 6 times the size of the Mekong.
Populations of critically endangered Irrawaddy dolphin can also be found in the Mekong River. It is estimated only 70 dolphins remain in the Mekong River population today. Learn more.
20,000 |
1,200 |
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| plant species | bird species | reptile & amphibian species |
mammal species |
Mekong River - the mother of giants
The Mekong River's many deep pools and isolated tributaries have allowed a steady increase of fish size over evolutionary time. More giant fish species swim the murky depths of the Mekong than any other freshwater habitat on the planet. Two such species include the Mekong giant catfish and the Giant freshwater stingray.The Mekong River basin is estimated to house at least 1,300 species of fish, a level of fish diversity rivalled only by the Amazon River basin, which covers an area over 6 times the size of the Mekong.
Populations of critically endangered Irrawaddy dolphin can also be found in the Mekong River. It is estimated only 70 dolphins remain in the Mekong River population today. Learn more.
Giant freshwater stingray or Freshwater whipray (Himantura chaophraya). The disk of this fish measured 202cm and 413cm from the tip of its nose to the end of its tail. Himantura chaophraya may be the largest species of freshwater fish in the world. More species of giant fish occur in the Mekong River than in any other river on earth. Populations of the giant stingray and other large-bodied Mekong fish are in decline.Mekong River near the Cambodia/Vietnam border December 14, 2002
Dry Forests - once described as one of the "great game lands of the world"
Historically, these dry forests spanned areas of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. Today, the dry forests are predominately located only in Cambodia and Laos. Even so, they still form the largest continuous tract of tropical dry forest on mainland Southeast Asia. Within these open woodlands and grasslands tiger, leopard, Asian elephant, and several wild cattle species still roam. As recently as 50 years ago, the Dry Forests in Cambodia were described as “one of the great game lands of the world.” Learn more.
Wild Asian elephants in the dry forests of Cambodia.
Kayah-Karen Tenasserim - the world's largest tiger population
Located on the Thai-Myanmar border, this ecoregion is one of the most significant biodiversity areas in Southeast Asia. Encompassing more than 18,000 km2, this vast wilderness comprises a continuous block of high conservation value forest. The Tenasserim Mountains are ranked as one of the world’s highest priority conservation areas for tigers. It also has the largest population of elephants in Southeast Asia and represents the region’s best chance to conserve a large population of wild elephants. Today, we estimate that there are approximately 1,500 elephants in this landscape and the population appears to be increasing.
Learn more.
Learn more.
Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris).
Greater Annamites - what the ice age could not freeze
The distinctive biodiversity of the Greater Annamites is attributed to the continuation of warmer and wet conditions during the last ice age. This allowed rainforest to persist, giving the forest and its animals thousands of additional years of refuge to evolve. The result is one of the highest rates of endemism in a continental setting globally. The Saola – a deer like animal – was discovered here 1992, and proved the first of many to come. This region is also home to one of the rarest mammals on Earth, the Javan rhino. Learn more.
Saola or Vu quang ox (Pseudoryx nghetinhensis); Hanoi, Vietnam.
