Wildlife of Lao PDR: 1999 Status Report - IUCN

Wildlife of Lao PDR: 1999 Status Report
Cervidae: Deer (7 species in Lao PDR; 43 worldwide)
• Cervus eldii (= C. eldi M1, M2, M7 ) Eld’s Deer (= Brow-antlered
Deer M2 ; = Thamin M1, M4, M5 ). Conservation Significance: Globally
Threatened - Vulnerable; At Risk in Lao PDR; CITES
Appendix I. Documented Range and Habitat: North (provisionally,
historically, Deuve 1972), centre (historically,
RJTim), south (Round 1998). Dry dipterocarp forests and
other open plains habitats. Status Information: The only recent
confirmation of Eld’s Deer is from Dong Khanthung
PNBCA, where it inhabits only one small area and is under
intense threat (Round 1998; Plate 16). Evidence from elsewhere
in Lao PDR is equivocal (Annex 5). Xe Pian NBCA
and the plains immediately south and east of the Xe Kong
are perhaps the most likely other areas to retain the species.
Two sets of antlers in an Attapu shop in 1997 were obtained
at least a decade previously (Davidson et al. 1997), and one
of two sets displayed in Xe Kong town was reportedly over
50 years old (Showler et al. 1998a). A pair of antlers was
observed in Phou Xang He NBCA by Boonratana (1998b),
where the species was reported to have been common in the
1960s. None of the few other antlers observed on display
(Annex 1) was reportedly of recent origin. Schaller (1997)
found no interviewees in Attapu Province claiming knowledge
of extant Eld’s Deer. A specimen from the Nakai Plateau
is held in the American Museum of Natural History
(RJTim). Deuve (1961a, 1972) reported the species from five
provinces: Salavan (valley of the Xe Kong), Champasak
(Mekong plains, to the Cambodian border, where also recorded
by Engelbach 1932), Savannakhet (Mekong plain and
the road to Xe Pon), Khammouan (Ban Bok and Ban Phonsi)
and Louang-Namtha; he traced no record from north Lao PDR
after 1938. A rapid population decline was underway even
by 1940 (Delacour 1940) and villagers in 1988-1993 reported
wide disappearance from much of its Lao range between 1940
and 1980. This was clearly caused mainly by hunting, as extensive
suitable habitat remains but is bereft of Eld’s Deer.
Antlers are sold along the Lao/Thai border (Srikosamatara et
al. 1992, Srikosamatara and Suteethorn 1994). Many parts
of the animal are used in traditional medicines (Baird 1995b).
The Indochinese subspecies C. e. siamensis is listed as Data
Deficient (Global) by IUCN (1996); however it is unquestionably
globally endangered, perhaps critically so. Of all
large mammals still known to occur in Lao PDR, this is probably
the species closest to national extinction. Taxonomic issues:
The known distribution of C. e. thamin suggests that it
may have occurred in north-west Lao PDR (C. P. Groves in
litt. 1999). It was reported for Ban Houayxai (Bokeo Province)
by Deuve (1961a) and, provisionally, Louang-Namtha
by Deuve (1972), but there are no confirmed records of the
species from this part of Lao PDR, and no recent reports.
This race is much less threatened, globally, than is C. e.
siamensis (Wemmer 1998).
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• Cervus unicolor Sambar (= Sambar Deer M3 ). Conservation
Significance: Potentially At Risk in Lao PDR. Documented
Range and Habitat: North M9 , centre M8 , south M8 .
Wooded areas, perhaps commonest in broken areas amid
semi-evergreen forest, but also uses open deciduous forest
and unbroken evergreen forest; to at least 1650 m (Nakai-
Nam Theun NBCA; Tobias 1997). Status Information:
Sambar was described as very common throughout the
wooded parts of Lao PDR by Delacour (1940), but sightings
on recent surveys are very rare, and while calls heard by night
and signs indicate a wide distribution (Table 12), numbers
are heavily depressed. Sambar has survived better in Lao PDR
than have Eld’s and Hog Deer. This reflects its wide altitudinal
range and its use of denser forest where hunting is more difficult
(although compared with e.g. muntjacs it is still best
considered an animal of broken and more open forest types).
Only in Nam Et/Phou Louey NBCAs did Sambar seem at
least locally commoner than muntjacs (Davidson 1998). The
Nakai Plateau and Nam Ghong Provincial PA also support
relatively high densities (Steinmetz 1998b, Fernando in prep.).
Many field signs in Table 12 were only identified as Cervus
/ Axis sp., but in most survey areas trophy antlers confirmed
the presence of Sambar. The species was reported during 86%
of 1988-1993 village interviews (n = 328) and was still widespread
throughout, except in the most heavily settled areas
(Annex 5). It is a common and preferred food in rural areas
(Table 1), and an occasional crop pest (Table 2). Antlers are
widely displayed as trophies and are used in traditional medicine
(Martin 1992, Baird 1995b). Their market value means
that, compared with muntjacs, a much higher proportion is
sent to town; for example, only two sets of antlers were seen
in houses in and around Dong Ampham NBCA as against 37
sets in Attapu town (Davidson et al. 1997). Many are sold
openly in tourist centres such as Louangphabang (C. Poole
verbally 1998). Fresh and dried meat is sold in urban markets
(Annex 1) and exported to Thailand (Baird 1993), but it
is imported from Cambodia to southern Lao PDR (Nash
1997). Many antlers are taken to Thailand for sale as trophies;
dealers in Pakxe reportedly buy up antlers from southern
Lao PDR and Cambodia for bulk shipments to Thailand,
and a consignment in June 1993 reportedly weighed one ton
(Baird 1993, La-Ong et al. 1997). Antlers are also traded
through Phongsali to China (WGR). The species is clearly
Potentially At Risk in Lao PDR until the issues of hunting
are addressed. (Plate 16)
• Axis porcinus (= Cervus porcinus M2, M4 ) Hog Deer. Conservation
Significance: Conditionally At Risk in Lao PDR;
CITES Appendix I. The Indochinese subspecies A. p.
annamiticus is listed as Data Deficient (Global). Documented
Range and Habitat: Unclear. North and centre (provisionally,
historically, Deuve 1972), south (historically, Robichaud
1998e). Marshy areas, open forest, great grassy glades;
always near water, and moving into the hills from flooded