19 December 2024

Press Release

For immediate release

‘Vampire’ hedgehog and ‘Game of Thrones’ lizard among 234 new species discovered in the Greater Mekong region

173 plants, 26 reptiles, 17 amphibians, 15 fishes and three mammals discovered in one of Asia’s biodiversity hotspots
Many of the species are already under threat of extinction from habitat loss, deforestation and the illegal wildlife trade
WWF is calling on governments to increase protection for these rare species and to commit halting and reversing nature loss

A soft furred hedgehog with fangs, a lizard with a name that sounds like it could star in Game of Thrones, a high-altitude crocodile newt, and a new genus of palm tree are just some of the of the 234 new species described by scientists in the Greater Mekong region of Southeast Asia in 2023.

The species, revealed in a new WWF report, showcase the region as one of the world’s most important biodiversity hotspots. However, many of these species are already at risk of extinction due to habitat loss, deforestation and illegal wildlife trade.

WWF is calling on governments in the region to strengthen protection for these rare, amazing creatures and their habitats and commit to reversing the loss of nature by 2030.

The report documents the work of hundreds of scientists from universities, conservation organisations and research institutes around the world who discovered 173 vascular plants, 26 reptiles, 17 amphibians, 15 fish and three mammals in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.

This brings the total number of vascular plants and vertebrate animals described in the Greater Mekong region since 1997 to 3,623.

Mark Wright, WWF-UK’s special advisor, said: “These new findings remind us of the extraordinary diversity and inventiveness of nature which can provoke a childish wonder and delight in us all.

“Sadly, it is also a timely reminder of the extreme jeopardy that so many of these species and habitats face, and what we risk losing if urgent and committed action is not taken.

“We urgently need governments to recognise the value of nature and commit to halting and reversing its destruction by 2030.”

Chris Hallam, WWF-Asia Pacific regional wildlife lead, said:

“Although these species were just described by science last year, they have been living in the unique habitats of our region for many millennia.

“Each of these species is a critical piece of a functioning, healthy ecosystem and a jewel in the region's rich natural heritage. And the researchers are equally as precious!

“They are working passionately and tirelessly to describe these species under trying conditions, unfortunately often with little resourcing.”

Highlights of the report include:

A soft furred hedgehog with sharp fangs, with a name based on the Vietnamese word for vampire
A karst dragon lizard - with a name that sounds like it came out of Game of Thrones - that represents not just a new species but a new genus
A bright orange crocodile newt living at a new elevation record for its type, found between 1,800m and 2,300m above sea level
A “simply gorgeous” pit viper snake with beautiful scales that make it look like it has long eyelashes
A ginger species that has a root that smells like mango
A leafless orchid that was found in a market and is likely already threatened by overexploitation
A rosy loach fish, only just described by science despite being common in the aquarium trade
A keelback snake named after the H’mong ethnic group
A shrew mole that weighs only 8g - putting it within the top 10 lightest species of terrestrial mammal on earth

Species are discovered in a variety of different ways. Some are collected during field visits and sit in natural history museums and botanical gardens for years - sometimes for decades before they are analysed and identified.

Jedsada Taweekan, WWF-Greater Mekong’s Illegal Wildlife Trade regional program manager, said:

“We must ensure that these species are described and understood so that we don’t lose them to overexploitation before they’re ever described in the wild.”

Biodiversity in the Greater Mekong is under intense pressure from habitat loss and degradation, overexploitation including from the illegal wildlife trade, climate change, pollution, invasive species and diseases, underscoring the urgent need for global action to restore nature before it’s too late, as highlighted in WWF’s Living Planet Report 2024.

ENDS

Notes to editors

You can download all assets, including a copy of the report, photos, and full species list at: Greater Mekong Report 2024

You can find out more about the work WWF is doing in the Greater Mekong area at: Greater Mekong | WWF Asiapacific

For more information contact:

Mike Eames | Media Manager

T: +44 (0)1483 412257 | E: meames@wwf.org.uk