Wildlife of Lao PDR: 1999 Status Report - IUCN

ace of S. scrofa in Lao PDR, S. s. moupinensis, has brindled
yellow body hairs (Groves 1981). Pig livers and other parts
are used in traditional medicine (Baird 1995b), but this use
seems unlikely to represent a significant threat. Taxonomic
issues: The species was described from two skulls procured
prior to 1892, reportedly from the Dong Nai river,
Cochinchina (Heude 1892). The form was then largely forgotten
until the 1980s (Groves et al. 1997).
Status Information on Pigs: Wild pigs (species unknown)
were reported during 99.7% of 1988-1993 village interviews
(n = 328), are clearly common and widespread, are often eaten
in rural areas (Table 1) and are the most frequently reported
crop pest (Table 2). Their meat is widely available in markets
and urban restaurants, and some is smuggled to markets
in Thailand (Srikosamatara et al. 1992, Salter 1993a, Baird
1993). Pig tusks are valued as talismans, curios and for medicinal
use, and are sold in all major markets (Baird 1993,
Salter 1993a). Many pigs hunted in Lao PDR are shot at night
or snared; this has important implications for the options of
differential legal protection of the two species, as with these
methods hunters cannot select between the species prior to
death.
Conservation Management and Research Proposed for Pigs:
• Clarification of the status of both pig species and their
geographical and ecological distributions, to allow
assessment of conservation measures needed.
• Pending this, collection of detailed notes on appearance
of animals (supported whenever possible with photographs
and tissue samples) seen on field surveys or in
markets to allow possible retrospective identification.
• Interim cessation of pig hunting in Nam Theun Extension
PNBCA, as the only region in the world known to
support Sus bucculentus.
• Cessation of pig hunting in further areas found to support
S. bucculentus, unless the species is found to be widespread
and of low conservation concern.
• Development of a response programme for crop damage
by pigs in areas in and adjacent to those where pig hunting
is banned.
Tragulidae: Chevrotains (1-2 species in Lao PDR; 4 worldwide)
Tragulus javanicus Lesser Oriental Chevrotain (= Lesser
Mousedeer M2, M3 ; = Lesser Malay Mousedeer M5 ; = Lesser
Malay Chevrotain M1, M4 ). North M8 , centre M8 , south M8 . Forests,
probably mainly evergreen, and adjacent degraded areas.
Many records, including field sightings, may have been distinguished
from T. napu solely on the basis of range; if the
latter were found in Lao PDR, reassessment of this species’s
status would be needed. Reported during 82% of 1988-1993
Large Mammals
village interviews (n = 328), from north-western through
central and southern Lao PDR (Annex 5). Recent interviews
suggest that chevrotains do not inhabit parts of north-east
Lao PDR (Davidson 1998, Showler et al. 1998b). Many
chevrotains are eaten in rural areas (Table 1) and some are
sold in urban markets in Lao PDR and adjacent parts of Thailand
(Srikosamatara et al. 1992, Baird 1993). Chevrotain ‘antlers’
are believed to be powerful aphrodisiacs and artificial
trophies are sometimes offered for sale at high prices (WGR).
As the ‘fakes’ are so obvious, however, it is difficult to
believe that this could pose a threat to the species.
[Tragulus napu Greater Oriental Chevrotain (Greater
Mousedeer M2, M3 ; = Greater Malay Mousedeer M5 ; = Larger
Malay Chevrotain M1 ; = Greater Malay Chevrotain M4 )]. This
species was recorded from Nhatrang, Vietnam (about 12ºN),
by Thomas (1910). Neither Osgood (1932) nor Delacour
(1940) listed any records for Indochina, but Thomas’s record
was maintained by Corbet and Hill (1992), who mapped the
species for Cochinchina and southern Cambodia. The species
may thus be found in adjacent Lao PDR, although
according to Dang Huy Huynh (1994) it has not subsequently
been recorded from any other province in Vietnam.
Moschidae: Musk deer (0-1 species in Lao PDR; 4 worldwide)
[• Moschus berezovskii Chinese Forest Musk Deer (= Forest
Musk Deer M7 ); (included in M. moschiferus by some
former authors)]. Conservation Significance: Globally Near-
Threatened; Conditionally At Risk in Lao PDR; CITES Appendix
II; endemic to central and southern China and adjacent
Indochina (Corbet and Hill 1992). Context: Deuve
(1961a, 1972) mentioned local reports from mountains east
of the Nam Seng river (Louangphabang Province) and speculated
that the species might inhabit Phongsali and Houaphan
Provinces. Moschus b. caobangis, described from northern
Vietnam, inhabits southern Yunnan (China) very close to Lao
PDR (Dao Van Tien 1977, Groves et al. 1995) and it is likely
that the species occurs, or formerly did so, in Lao PDR.
Known altitude records for this species lie between 50 and
400 m (Groves et al. 1995). The high financial value of, and
international trade in, musk deer products (Wemmer 1998)
indicates that the species is Conditionally At Risk in Lao PDR.
Conservation Management and Research Proposed for Musk
deer:
• Clarification as to whether the species occurs in Lao PDR,
investigation of trade threats, and design of appropriate
action if the species is found to occur.
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