The Tonle Sap Lake is home to a huge diversity of fish, waterfowl, and other marine species – including those that are near-threatened. However, the decreased volume of the lake and loss of flooded forests have led to a loss of habitats and subsequently a significant loss in biodiversity in and around the lake. Certain species of waterfowl, such as the Bengal Florican, are even critically endangered according to the IUCN Red List.

Another example of threatened species would be the Mekong giant catfish –  one of the world’s largest freshwater fish. It is estimated that the total number of Mekong giant catfish has decreased by 90% in the last 10 years, and some believe there may only be around one hundred left. Overfishing and dams have impacted the survival of not only the Mekong giant catfish, but other giant fish species as well. Additionally, pollution of the lake could potentially affect the natural life cycles and reproductive cycles of these fish and other marine animals living in the lake.