In News
- Recently, a study suggests that attacks on humans in Indonesia by Tomistoma may be increasing due to increasing intrusion in their habitat.
- The tomistoma (Tomistoma schlegelii) is a shy and reclusive species that typically retreats from areas with a high degree of human activity.
About Tomistoma
- Native:
- The tomistoma is a large, slender-snouted crocodilian species native to Southeast Asia.
- Distribution:
- Across part of Borneo (divided between Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei), peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra.
- Tomistoma shares its habitat with two other types of crocodilians; The saltwater crocodile and the Siamese crocodile.
- Characteristics:
- They are noted for their long narrow snouts used to catch fish, similar to the gharial.
- It is a freshwater species and is frequently associated with peat swamp forest.
- It was long believed to be primarily piscivorous (fish eating) due to its slender snout, in recent decades it has been found that the species has a much broader diet and is likely more of an opportunistic predator.
- IUCN Status:
- It is currently listed as Endangered on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species.
- Steps to be taken to reduce Human-animal conflict
- The study urged cooperation with local communities
- The creation of crocodile exclusion enclosures
- Further investigation into the causes of human-tomistoma conflict.
Source: DTE
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