Scientists Discover 163 New Species In Greater Mekong Region

Gekko Bonkowski is pictured in this homestay mekong delta vietnam handout picture received by Reuters
Thomson Reuters




BANGKOK (Reuters) - A rainbow-headed snake and a dragon-like lizard are among 163 new species that scientists recently discovered in the Greater jardin du mekong homestay region, conservation group WWF said on Monday, adding rapid development in the area, from dams to mines, was threatening wildlife survival.

The discoveries, published in a report on Monday, include a gecko in Laos with pale blue skin and a rare banana species discovered in northern Thailand that is critically endangered because of increasing deforestation.

The Greater mekong delta homestay tour is home to some of the world's most endangered species. Rare or endangered animal parts, including tiger bones and rhino horns, are seen as collector's items by some and are often used in traditional medicine.

In June, Thai wildlife authorities raided the Tiger Temple west of Bangkok, a popular tourist attraction. There they discovered scores of dead tiger cubs, frozen tiger carcasses, skins and dead cubs in jars, as well as other protected species.

It remains unclear why the Tiger Temple was storing dead tiger cubs and parts, although officials have said they might have been used for traditional Chinese medicine.