Wildlife of Lao PDR: 1999 Status Report - IUCN

Wildlife of Lao PDR: 1999 Status Report
degraded areas) with one in open dry dipterocarp forest, all
below 300 m altitude. Status Information: Records prior to
1997 were reviewed by Duckworth (1994a, 1997a). The only
subsequent field records are of four singles camera trapped
in Xe Pian NBCA (main block and Dong Kalo) in early 1997
(C. Sisomphone verbally 1998; photographs held at
FOMACOP office, Vientiane; Plate 14). Delacour (1940)
traced no historical records. Recent records come only from
Phou Xang He and Xe Pian NBCAs (Table 12). A captive
animal was held in Savannakhet in 1997 (TDE; Plate 14).
There are no Lao records from hill and montane forest, but
the species has been found at each forest site below 300 m
subjected to substantial nocturnal survey effort or camera trapping.
This suggests that it is genuinely patchy in occurrence.
Ground-living carnivores such as this species are vulnerable
to snaring and if the species is restricted to lowland forest it
is at least Potentially At Risk in Lao PDR.
Viverricula indica (= V. malaccensis M2 ) Small Indian Civet
(= Rasse). North M14 , centre M12 , south M12 . Semi-evergreen and
deciduous forest, including adjacent degraded areas; patchily
distributed. Records prior to 1997 were reviewed by
Duckworth (1994a, 1997a). There are few records of the species
in Lao PDR. In other countries it is tolerant of habitat
degradation and lives in proximity to human communities
(e.g. Lekagul and McNeely 1977) and it seems unlikely to
be at risk in Lao PDR. It is not considered a key species as
the few records may reflect little more than a paucity of nocturnal
work in deciduous and open areas. However this standpoint
may need review after further surveys have been
undertaken.
• Prionodon pardicolor Spotted Linsang. Conservation Significance:
Little Known in Lao PDR; CITES Appendix I.
Documented Range and Habitat: North M14 , centre M12 ,
south M14 . Both recent field sightings came from an extensive
area of little degraded hill evergreen forest. Status Information:
Records prior to 1997 were reviewed by Duckworth
(1997a). Delacour (1940) traced historical records only from
Xiangkhouang. Field sightings come from Nakai-Nam Theun
NBCA (Evans et al. 1994, Duckworth 1997a). Dead animals
have been seen in Xekong and Xaignabouli Provinces
(Bergmans 1995). There are few Lao records, but the species
may not necessarily be under threat. It inhabits hilly and
mountainous areas, where large-scale forest clearance is more
difficult than in lowlands. It uses a wide range of habitats, at
least in other countries (Van Rompaey 1995). The species is
best considered Little Known in Lao PDR.
Paradoxurus hermaphroditus Common Palm Civet (= Toddycat).
North M12 , centre M12 , south M12 . All habitats surveyed, from
Mekong lowlands to montane areas, evergreen to deciduous
forest to scrub. Records prior to 1997 were reviewed by
Duckworth (1997a). (Plate 14)
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Paguma larvata Masked Palm Civet (= Himalayan Palm
Civet M1 ). North M12 , centre M12 , south M12 . Recent records come
only from large blocks of evergreen forest above 500 m, and
the three historical sites listed in Osgood (1932) are all also
above this altitude. Records prior to 1997 were reviewed by
Duckworth (1997a).
• Arctictis binturong Binturong (= Bearcat). Conservation
Significance: At Risk in Lao PDR. Documented Range and
Habitat: North M12 , centre (Walston in prep.), south (historically,
provisionally, Deuve 1972). Recent Lao records come
from extensive evergreen forest; in other countries a variety
of tall forests is used. Status Information: Records prior to
1997 were reviewed by Duckworth (1997a), who traced only
two recent sightings, both from Nam Kading NBCA. The
sole subsequent record is of a single seen in Hin Namno
NBCA in early 1998 (Walston in prep.). Details cannot now
be traced of records from Phou Xang He NBCA (Boonratana
1998b) and Dong Ampham NBCA (Davidson et al. 1997)
and they are best dismissed (RB, PD). There are local reports
from various other recent survey areas (Table 12).
Delacour (1940) traced no historical records. Deuve (1972)
considered that the species was common (and listed various
provinces from Louang-Namtha south to Champasak as supporting
it) but the basis for this is unclear. Binturong is one
of most frequently displayed caged live carnivores across
Lao PDR and skins are traded frequently in at least Vientiane
(RJTiz). This probably reflects more its striking appearance
than a natural abundance relative to other species. Binturong
is classed as At Risk in Lao PDR because it is not prone to
wariness, is partly diurnal, and often visits fruiting trees. These
features make it conspicuous both to surveyors (suggesting
that the few encounters reflect a low population) and to hunters
(thus exposing it to elevated risk). Where Binturongs are
not hunted, sightings can be frequent (e.g. Khao Yai National
Park, Thailand; Nettelbeck 1997). Although primarily arboreal,
Binturongs do descend to the ground and some are
snared. Many traded animals are young; it is possible that
trees are felled to allow them to be caught (I. Johnson verbally
1999). Furthermore, the species is considered particularly
tasty in at least parts of Lao PDR, and is traded to Vietnam
(I. Johnson verbally 1999). Duckworth (1997a) speculated
that hunting was unlikely to be the cause of the few
recent sightings of Binturong in Lao PDR, citing the many
Black Giant Squirrels and gibbons in several areas lacking
Binturong records. This comparison is not valid as it overlooks
possible interspecific differences in population dynamics,
which in turn affect resilience to hunting pressure.
Arctogalidia trivirgata Small-toothed Palm Civet (= Threestriped
Palm Civet M2,M4 ). North M12 , centre M12 , south M12 .
Evergreen forest, including degraded areas provided some
contiguity of canopy remains; up to at least 1200 m. Records
prior to 1997 were reviewed by Duckworth (1997a).