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The Star
22-07-2025
- General
- The Star
Siamese crocodile egg discovery bodes well for species' survival in Cambodia
Forty-three baby Siamese crocodile eggs were recently discovered in the Cardamom Mountains National Park. - Photo: FFI PHNOM PENH: Three nests of Siamese crocodile eggs – one of the world's most critically endangered species – were discovered in 2025 in the Chhay Reap area of Sre Ambel district, Koh Kong province, and in the O'Som area of the Cardamom Mountains National Park. Conservationists hope the eggs which were fertilised will hatch in the upcoming month of August. The Forestry Administration of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and the Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with Fauna & Flora International (FFI) and local communities, discovered three nests containing a total of 43 eggs within the Cardamom Mountains National Park in early June, according to a joint June 25 press release. 'Of the 43 eggs, 34 were fertilised. They are now being closely monitored and protected by our expert team and the local community until they hatch. The eggs are expected to hatch sometime in August,' it stated. It noted that the Siamese crocodile is a critically endangered species, adding that egg discoveries in two consecutive years strongly demonstrate the success of conservation efforts. They also underscore the importance of the Cardamom Mountains as a vital habitat for wild crocodiles, offering significant hope for the species' recovery. On World Crocodile Day (June 17), Fauna & Flora International stated that over the past 25 years, they have worked closely with government authorities, local partners and communities to save the Siamese crocodile from extinction in Cambodia, leading to a significant rebound in their population. These cooperative efforts have produced remarkable conservation achievements. These include the release of 236 juvenile crocodiles into the Cardamom Mountains and 10 into Virachey National Park — the first return in 20 years. In addition, a captive breeding facility currently holds over 500 individuals and 60 crocodiles from natural nests have been successfully hatched in the Cardamom Mountains, the largest number recorded. 'With our continued efforts to protect this critically endangered species, we are confident that Siamese crocodiles will continue to thrive in their natural habitats,' FFI stated. On the World Crocodile Day, WWF-Cambodia also highlighted the importance of the species, explaining that Siamese crocodiles are among the world's most endangered crocodile species — and also one of the shyest. "Unlike their more aggressive cousins, these crocodiles are generally timid around humans and rarely pose a threat. But don't underestimate their impact. "Known as 'wetland engineers', they play a vital role in maintaining healthy rivers and marshes by digging channels, distributing nutrients and creating habitats for fish and birds. "So, the next time you hear a splash in a remote Cambodian swamp, it might just be nature's quiet guardian at work," it said. In 2023, WWF-Cambodia continued its collaboration with conservation experts from FFI to restore this endangered species in the Srepok River area within the Srepok Wildlife Sanctuary. This restoration project has received strong support from local authorities and the Mondulkiri Provincial Department of Environment. The initiative focuses on protecting and studying the reintroduction of pure-bred Siamese crocodiles back into their natural habitat to ensure their long-term survival. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
The Independent
25-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Sir Stephen Fry ‘chuffed to the heavens' to receive knighthood
Actor and broadcaster Sir Stephen Fry said he was 'chuffed' to receive his knighthood and joked that if it would help his charity work 'then they should make me a duke'. The actor, screenwriter and author was speaking after he was knighted by the King in recognition of services to mental health awareness, the environment and to charity. Speaking after Tuesday's ceremony at Windsor Castle where he was watched by his husband Elliott Spencer, mother Marianne and sister Joanna, Sir Stephen, 67, said: 'I am very chuffed. I am chuffed to the heavens, to the high walls of the castle.' Sir Stephen added: 'My mother is beaming like a lighthouse. 'She is very, very happy, especially given the grief I gave her, my father and the rest of the family as a child and a teenager. 'It is some kind of public event that is not embarrassing for them.' There is 'no question' that the special day is payback to his family for their support over the years and also, on a personal level, it is it 'very important' that the knighthood is in recognition of his charity work, he said. Sir Stephen has been president of the charity Mind since 2011 and since 2009 has been vice-president of conservation charity Fauna & Flora International. On whether the knighthood will help him progress his charity efforts, he joked: 'Whether the knighthood helps in that sense, I don't know. 'Some people are glamourised by these things but if it gives me an extra ability to pound a table and suggest some law changes or things like that, then that is a marvellous advantage, no question. 'Maybe in that case they should make me a duke, that would be even more impressive.' Since 1991, the Blackadder star and former QI host has also worked with the Terrence Higgins Trust, raising awareness and funds for people with HIV and Aids. In 2006 he fronted BBC programme Stephen Fry's The Secret Life Of The Manic Depressive and has been open about his struggles with mental illness – he has bipolar disorder – over the years. Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that leads to extreme changes in mood and energy levels which are far beyond most people's experiences of feeling happy or down. Sir Stephen added: 'I am lucky enough to be associated with quite a few charities who are extraordinary institutions who do incredible work. 'Mind, over the time I have been president, has made real inroads to helping reduce stigma and build confidence among people of all ages to come forward to see their doctor, to visit the Mind website and avail themselves of opportunities to talk and to find out more if they feel maybe something isn't as should be and needs attention. 'It can be something in their behaviour, something in their mood. 'Some people may say it has been overdiagnosed now, but you have to remember that we are living in a time of an epidemic of self-harm. He added: 'This is a real crisis and we can't just say 'oh, just walk it off'. Nature is an incredible healer in some ways but there are some problems that are too serious. They need to be helped and Mind is there for that. 'I am very honoured to be honoured for my association with them.' The son of an inventor, Sir Stephen was born in London in 1957, but the family later moved to rural Norfolk. He has spoken candidly about the bad experiences he had at boarding school, from which he was eventually expelled. Sir Stephen went on to study at the University of Cambridge where his contemporaries included Dame Emma Thompson, Tony Slattery and Hugh Laurie, with whom he formed a successful writing and performing partnership. At Cambridge, Sir Stephen became involved with student sketch comedy troupe the Cambridge Footlights, and he and House star Laurie went on to form the comic double act Fry and Laurie, with their work including A Bit Of Fry & Laurie as well as taking the title roles in Jeeves And Wooster. Over the years his other notable acting roles have also included his performance as Oscar Wilde in the 1997 film Wilde, which saw him nominated for a Golden Globe. He famously played Lord Melchett in comedy series Blackadder, as well as starring as Mycroft Holmes in Warner Brothers' Sherlock Holmes: A Game Of Shadows and as the Master of Lake-town in Peter Jackson's The Hobbit. He starred in HBO's Veep, and his documentary Stephen Fry: The Secret Life Of The Manic Depressive won the international Emmy for best documentary. Sir Stephen has written three volumes of his autobiography: Moab Is My Washpot, The Fry Chronicles and More Fool Me, and four novels: The Liar, The Hippopotamus, Making History and The Stars' Tennis Balls, with some of his recently published works including Mythos, Heroes, Troy and Odyssey.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Sir Stephen Fry ‘chuffed to the heavens' to receive knighthood
Actor and broadcaster Sir Stephen Fry said he was 'chuffed' to receive his knighthood and joked that if it would help his charity work 'then they should make me a duke'. The actor, screenwriter and author was speaking after he was knighted by the King in recognition of services to mental health awareness, the environment and to charity. Speaking after Tuesday's ceremony at Windsor Castle where he was watched by his husband Elliott Spencer, mother Marianne and sister Joanna, Sir Stephen, 67, said: 'I am very chuffed. I am chuffed to the heavens, to the high walls of the castle.' Sir Stephen added: 'My mother is beaming like a lighthouse. 'She is very, very happy, especially given the grief I gave her, my father and the rest of the family as a child and a teenager. 'It is some kind of public event that is not embarrassing for them.' There is 'no question' that the special day is payback to his family for their support over the years and also, on a personal level, it is it 'very important' that the knighthood is in recognition of his charity work, he said. Sir Stephen has been president of the charity Mind since 2011 and since 2009 has been vice-president of conservation charity Fauna & Flora International. On whether the knighthood will help him progress his charity efforts, he joked: 'Whether the knighthood helps in that sense, I don't know. 'Some people are glamourised by these things but if it gives me an extra ability to pound a table and suggest some law changes or things like that, then that is a marvellous advantage, no question. 'Maybe in that case they should make me a duke, that would be even more impressive.' Since 1991, the Blackadder star and former QI host has also worked with the Terrence Higgins Trust, raising awareness and funds for people with HIV and Aids. In 2006 he fronted BBC programme Stephen Fry's The Secret Life Of The Manic Depressive and has been open about his struggles with mental illness – he has bipolar disorder – over the years. Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that leads to extreme changes in mood and energy levels which are far beyond most people's experiences of feeling happy or down. Sir Stephen added: 'I am lucky enough to be associated with quite a few charities who are extraordinary institutions who do incredible work. 'Mind, over the time I have been president, has made real inroads to helping reduce stigma and build confidence among people of all ages to come forward to see their doctor, to visit the Mind website and avail themselves of opportunities to talk and to find out more if they feel maybe something isn't as should be and needs attention. 'It can be something in their behaviour, something in their mood. 'Some people may say it has been overdiagnosed now, but you have to remember that we are living in a time of an epidemic of self-harm. He added: 'This is a real crisis and we can't just say 'oh, just walk it off'. Nature is an incredible healer in some ways but there are some problems that are too serious. They need to be helped and Mind is there for that. 'I am very honoured to be honoured for my association with them.' The son of an inventor, Sir Stephen was born in London in 1957, but the family later moved to rural Norfolk. He has spoken candidly about the bad experiences he had at boarding school, from which he was eventually expelled. Sir Stephen went on to study at the University of Cambridge where his contemporaries included Dame Emma Thompson, Tony Slattery and Hugh Laurie, with whom he formed a successful writing and performing partnership. At Cambridge, Sir Stephen became involved with student sketch comedy troupe the Cambridge Footlights, and he and House star Laurie went on to form the comic double act Fry and Laurie, with their work including A Bit Of Fry & Laurie as well as taking the title roles in Jeeves And Wooster. Over the years his other notable acting roles have also included his performance as Oscar Wilde in the 1997 film Wilde, which saw him nominated for a Golden Globe. He famously played Lord Melchett in comedy series Blackadder, as well as starring as Mycroft Holmes in Warner Brothers' Sherlock Holmes: A Game Of Shadows and as the Master of Lake-town in Peter Jackson's The Hobbit. He starred in HBO's Veep, and his documentary Stephen Fry: The Secret Life Of The Manic Depressive won the international Emmy for best documentary. Sir Stephen has written three volumes of his autobiography: Moab Is My Washpot, The Fry Chronicles and More Fool Me, and four novels: The Liar, The Hippopotamus, Making History and The Stars' Tennis Balls, with some of his recently published works including Mythos, Heroes, Troy and Odyssey.
