208 new species discovered in the Mekong River region

Scientists discovered 208 new species last year in the Mekong River region of Southeast Asia, an international conservation group says.

In a recently published report, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) said new species discovered near the Mekong River include fish, plants, reptiles, mammals, amphibians and a bird species.

The 21-page report added that plant and animal species across the Mekong region are threatened by habitat loss, deforestation, climate change and unsustainable resource exploitation.

Sarah Bladen, WWF's director of information for the Mekong region, warned that the region is losing biodiversity at a “tragic rate”.

The Mekong River flows through the countries of China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.

Some new species of animals and plants were discovered:

A new bird species was found in Laos and Vietnam.



A new species of snake was discovered in China.



A newt species with orange toes has been discovered in Laos.



A white and yellow orchid.

According to Dan Tri/AP