The conservation of Himantura Chaophraya Stingrays and the lowlands of Mae Klong River

Outreach and Engagement

Himantura Chaophraya Stingray is a freshwater fish that lives in the lowlands of the Mae Klong River which flows through 9 provinces including Tak, Uthai Thani, Kanchanaburi, Suphan Buri, Nakhon Pathom, Ratchaburi, Samut Songkhram, Samut Sakhon, and Phetchaburi. Especially in clean water areas, you will often be able to see the Himantura Chaophraya Stingray, which academics have classed as an Indicator Species for the imbalance of the freshwater ecosystem. This is due to the properties of this fish that is sensitive to toxins and changes in its habitat. The main toxic enemies of the Himantura Chaophraya Stingray are Ammonia, NH3, and Nitrite, NO2- which taints the water and are the main contributing factors toward the Himantura Chaophraya Stingray becoming an Endangered Species following the announcement of The IUCN Red List of threatened species (International Union for The Conservation of Nature, IUCN) starting from the year 2543BE onwards.

Chulalongkorn University via Faculty of Veterinary Science which has a mission to develop, pioneer, and explore research alongside applying knowledge received to help cater to society, therefore started to research this stingray specifically, in relation to living conditions, biology, and ecology starting from the year 2550BE. This was done by visiting locations and collecting data continuously until they developed an understanding and were able to use this information in real life on the incident in the year 2559BE. Stingrays were found in the lowlands of the Mae Klong river in the Samut Songkhram province with around 45 of them dead simultaneously, which had never been discovered before. This causes great anxiety to the community and relevant avenges until General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of Thailand, ordered an urgent investigation to discover the facts regarding the incident. Chulalongkorn University assigned Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nantarika Chansue, Director of the Veterinary Medical Aquatic Animal Research Center, to bring her board to the area of the incident and rapidly conduct an in-depth study with the environment. Consequently, they were able to discover the root of this tragedy, which was caused by chemicals with acute effects that were toxic to the stingray’s kidneys and gills. These chemicals were not accumulative chemicals, which caused the stingrays to lose the ability to control the balance in their bodies and died rapidly. This was considered empirical work that inspired the research team and gave them the strength to continue their research until they were able to work with other organizations that have the same goal. One stable collaboration that provided benefits in relation the conservation of the lowlands of Mae Klong river and the Himantura Chaophraya Stingrays, occurred when Chulalongkorn University via the Faculty of Veterinary Science, partnered with the National Geographic Society and the Department of Fisheries, Samut Songkhram province. Bringing skills, knowledge, and experience together to conduct in-depth research into freshwater stingrays while exchanging knowledge on a national level and laying down measures to help the long-term conservation of the Himantura Chaophraya Stingrays, covering 3 aspects which include

1) Animals Researching about ecology and population to further understand the Himantura Chaophraya stingrays, encompassing their habitat, behavioral patterns, and environmental factors that contribute to the selection of their habitat and reproduction. This was done by studying the movement of the Himantura Chaophraya stingrays in Mae Klong river by using a tracking device on over 200 stingrays, while also tending to stingrays that were sick or had received fishing injuries. Furthermore, creating a database to support the reduction of threat against stingrays and pushing legal policy guidelines regarding conservation which lead to the issuing of ministerial regulations which designates that certain wildlife species are protected (4th edition) 2561BE. This was issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and now includes the Himantura Chaophraya Stingray as a protected species.

2) Environment Collecting samples and recording soil and water quality in areas where the stingrays are found and using the data to inspect the physical, biological, and chemical qualities. Then using it to form a database regarding the environmental changes of the lowlands of Mae Klong river and creating the necessary guidelines to protect and conserve the habitat. Additionally, setting guidelines to reduce the threats to the habitat and population of stingrays and introducing measures to change the fishing methods of the local community, which may cause deaths of stingrays.

3) Society Setting up a plan to campaign for a change in behavior of the local community by raising awareness about the benefits of stingrays and the threats to them and their habitats. Providing information to the local community and interested people via an information and news publishing program and creating opportunities for the local community to be a part of the conservation project through conservation of stingrays in the lowlands of Mae Klong river exhibition, in partnership with Samut Songkhram province and Amphawa Municipal District. Mutually depending on each other through the meticulous work of the community, which sends information and news to the university and relevant departments to research and develop further solutions.

By setting guidelines for the conservation of the Himantura Chaophraya Stingray Chulalongkorn University, joined by local communities and relevant national agencies, were able to provide benefits to the conservation of the lowlands of Mae Klong River, which not only helped the stingrays to be able to maintain their natural habitat but also acted as a stratagem to create awareness for the people of Mae Klong river to love and cherish the natural resources in their hometown, so they can pass it on to the next generation.

BY

Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University