Wildlife of Lao PDR: 1999 Status Report - IUCN

Wildlife of Lao PDR: 1999 Status Report
whelming historical evidence). Species in bold face are listed in IUCN (1996) as of global conservation concern: either Globally
Threatened, Globally Near-Threatened, or Data Deficient. Other key species are those defined in Annex 6 as (Potentially) At Risk in Lao
PDR or Little Known in Lao PDR.
This table should not be used for comparing survey areas in their importance for key species of large mammals. Firstly, widely varying
survey efforts (both in terms of time and the prior experience of the surveyors) prevent comparison of like with like. Secondly, survey
reports from 1992-1996 were markedly more selective in their inclusion of local information than were reports of surveys in 1997 and
1998. As many of the provisional records (marked with ‘?’) relate to local information, sites surveyed only in 1992-1996 would be
undervalued relative to those worked in 1997 or 1998.
References: North: Phou Dendin NBCA: Evans et al. (in prep. b); Nam Et NBCA: Davidson (1998); Phou Louey NBCA: Davidson
(1998); Nam Ha NBCA: Phiapalath (1996), Tizard et al. (1997); Nam Xam NBCA: Showler et al. (1998b); Nam Phoun NBCA: Boonratana
(1997, 1998b); Phou Khaokhoay NBCA: Payne et al. (1995), Evans et al. (in prep. b), JWKP (verbally 1998), Golden Jackal see text;
Sangthong District: Duckworth (1996a), ferret badger see text; Houay Nhang NR: Duckworth et al. (1994); Nam Kading NBCA: Evans
et al. (in prep. b); Nam Theun Extension PNBCA, Schaller (1995), Tizard (1996), Groves et al. (1997), Tobias (1997), Robichaud
(1998a, 1998b), Duckworth (1998), Evans et al. (in prep. b). Centre: Nakai-Nam Theun NBCA: Tizard (1996), Tobias (1997), Duckworth
(1998), Robichaud (1999), Evans et al. (in prep. b); Nakai Plateau: WCS (1996b), Tobias (1997), Evans et al. (in prep. b), RB in litt.
(1998); Nam Theun Corridor: WCS (1996b), Timmins (1997), Steinmetz (1998b), Evans et al. (in prep. b); Khammouan Limestone
NBCA: Timmins (1997), Steinmetz (1998b), Robinson and Webber (1998a), Evans et al. (in prep. b), BLS (verbally 1998; loris); Hin
Namno NBCA: Timmins and Khounboline (1996), Walston (in prep.); Phou Xang He NBCA: Duckworth et al. (1994), Boonratana
(1998b); Dong Phou Vieng NBCA: Steinmetz (1998a). South: Xe Bang-Nouan NBCA: Evans et al. (in prep. b); Xe Sap NBCA:
Bergmans (1995), Schaller and Boonsou (1996), Timmins and Vongkhamheng (1996b), Showler et al. (1998a); Phou Ahyon: Bergmans
(1995), Timmins and Vongkhamheng (1996b), Showler et al. (1998a); Dakchung Plateau: Bergmans (1995), Timmins and Vongkhamheng
(1996b), Showler et al. (1998a); Phou Xiang Thong NBCA: Evans et al. (1996a), Boonratana (1998a); Phou Kathong PNBCA: Davidson
et al. (1997); Dong Ampham NBCA: Davidson et al. (1997), Schaller (1997); Bolaven Northeast PNBCA: Evans et al. (in prep. b); Dong
Hua Sao NBCA: Duckworth et al. (1994), Evans et al. (1996b), Boonratana (1998a); Bolaven Southwest PNBCA: Evans et al. (in prep.
b); Xe Pian NBCA: Cox et al. (1992), Duckworth et al. (1994), Baird and Mounsouphom (1994), Steinmetz (in prep.); Southern Mekong:
Duckworth et al. (1994), Baird and Mounsouphom (1994); Nam Ghong Provincial PA: Schaller (1997), Davidson et al. (1997), Fernando
(in prep.), RJTiz verbally (1998); Dong Khanthung PNBCA: Berkmüller and Vilawong (1996), ICF (1996), Timmins and Vongkhamheng
(1996b), Round (1998). General: Ruggeri and Timmins (1996), Duckworth (1997a), Timmins et al. (1998), Duckworth et al. (1998c),
Duckworth and Hedges (1998a), Timmins and Duckworth (in press).
1987, 4600 in 1988 (WCMC/IUCN 1992), and an estimated
6100 during 1990-1991 (Srikosamatara et al. 1992). These
are collected widely across the country; Vientiane,
Savannakhet and Pakxe seem to be trading centres. At least
some were tanned in-country (Srikosamatara et al. 1992).
Large quantities go to Thailand (Baird 1995b). Despite various
attempts at control, major shipments (e.g. 92 kg of skins
intercepted by U.S. Customs) continued as of mid-1992
(Salter 1993a), and Pakxe traders were still buying skins in
bulk as of mid-1993 (Baird 1993).
Trade levels were still high as of 1998. From one village
in Dong Khanthung PNBCA alone, over 100 animals (total
weight 200-300 kg) were estimated to be taken over a period
of 4-5 months. A single man realised over a million kip in the
1997/1998 dry season (then, about US$ 250), allowing him
to buy three buffaloes (Round 1998). There is no obvious
reason to think that these figures are exceptional. Villagers
in three disjunct areas of the range of M. javanica (Xe Pian,
Dong Phou Vieng and Khammouan Limestone NBCAs)
stated that pangolins have declined, in some areas to as little
as 1% of their population 30 years ago (RS).
Some 500 kg of pangolins were confiscated in and around
Ban Lak (20) in less than eight months in 1997-1998
(Compton in prep. b). The irregular distribution of figures,
and occasional enormous hauls (e.g. over 200 kg in three
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days in late 1997) strongly suggest that this figure is merely
the tip of an extremely large iceberg, with the full potential
to sink pangolins in Lao PDR. As support for this, more
detailed investigation in Khamkeut District, Bolikhamxai
Province, revealed that in two months of 1998, 570 kg of
pangolins were confiscated, and even these apparently represent
only a fraction of the actual trade (IUCN 1998).
Numbers have been so reduced that field sightings are
exceptionally rare: in many survey areas, no pangolins were
seen, even when there is substantial work by night (e.g.
Duckworth et al. 1994).
Both species are clearly At Risk in Lao PDR.
Conservation Management and Research Proposed for
Pangolins:
• Development and enforcement of effective hunting and
trade controls for both species, specifically targetting key
border areas (some of which are not official border crossings).
• Ban on harvesting in NBCAs and provincial protected
areas, coupled with active enforcement and punishment
of offenders.
• Development of status survey and monitoring methodology
for pangolins, which are not well covered in general
wildlife surveys.