False gharial  (Tomistoma schlegelii)

Habitat destruction caused by the construction of dams, channelling and deforestation amongst others has been the main cause of the decline of this species and continues to be its main threat to this day (4). Intensive hunting in some areas, especially Sumatra, in the mid 20th Century also contributed greatly to the decline in population numbers (4). Further threats come from fishing practices, with false gharials either becoming caught in nets, poisoned by toxins used to kill fish, or else loosing their food source to local fishermen (2).

International trade in the false gharial is prevented by its listing on Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) (1), and many of the known populations occur within protected areas (4). Recent population estimates of the false gharial are under 2,500 mature adults but data on distribution is still insufficient (2). Before a successful conservation management plan can be implemented more information needs to be collected on the current status of this species in Malaysia and Indonesia. Further research into behaviour and ecology must be carried out in order to identify priority habitats and population needs (4). A Tomistoma Task Force has recently been set up under the umbrella of the IUCN-SSC Crocodile Specialist Group (5).