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Laos, one of the most natural resource rich countries of Southeast Asia, is home to many distinctive and rare plants and animals. Laos is also home to numerous endangered species of plants and animals, including rare and colorful orchids, Indochinese tigers, Asiatic black bears (also known as 'moon' bears), Asian elephants, Eld's deer, Irrawaddy dolphins, Douc langurs, White-cheeked gibbons, Mekong giant catfish and Siamese crocodiles.
 
  A critically endangered Northern white-cheeked gibbon in Laos. The wildlife trade, including keeping animals as pets, takes them away from where they belong - forests and other natural habitats. Photo © WCS / W.G. Robichaud.

The rich biodiversity of Laos is of vital importance to its national economy, people's livelihoods, and continued environmental sustainability. However, Laos' biodiversity is also under threat. Habitat loss through deforestation and the degradation of rivers and wetlands, as well as the illegal trade in wildlife is contributing to the loss of this natural capital.

The Lao Wildlife Trade Working Group was established in 2009 and was initiated by the Lao National Department of Forest Inspection and the Division of Forest Resources Conservation. It is the role of DOFI and DFRC to guard Lao PDR's forests and protected areas through conservation and protection of biodiversity, and prevention, detection and suppression of forest and wildlife crime.

An initiative of the Working Group, the Campaign for Wildlife Conservation, was launched in late November 2009, to coincide with the 25th South East Asian Games in Vientiane.  Globally, illegal wildlife trade is the third largest illegal trade (after arms and drugs), and South East Asia is a hotspot for the trade. Laos is a source, conduit and consumer country for traded wildlife, and thus the SEA Games provide a perfect opportunity to reach a domestic and regional audience in raising awareness about wildlife conservation.

The Working Group includes representatives from these Lao government agencies, NGOs, international organizations and businesses:

  • Department of Forest Inspection
  • Division of Forest Resources Conservation
  • Green Discovery Laos
  • ElefantAsia
  • The Free the Bears Fund
  • International Union for Conservation of Nature, IUCN - Lao PDR
  • Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Laos
  • World Bank Laos
  • Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) Laos
What can you do to help protect Lao wildlife? Please:  

  • Do not consume or buy any wildlife or wildlife products.

  • Do not sell or trade wildlife or wildlife products.

  • Spend your money at restaurants, hotels and tour operators that are environmentally responsible.

  • If you see wildlife on a restaurant menu (such as deer and soft-shell turtles) leave and go to another restaurant. Tell the owners why.