A Preliminary Wildlife and Habitat Survey of the Proposed Northern ...

A Preliminary Wildlife and Habitat Survey ofthe Proposed Northern Extension to the Nakai-Nam TheunNational Biodiversity Conservation Areaand the Adjacent Nam Gnouang Area,Bolikhamsai Province, Lao P.D.R.Conducted During April and May 1996A Report to the Centre For Protected Areas and Watershed Management,Department of Forestry, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Lao P.D.R.andThe Project Development Group of the Nam Theun 2 hydropower projectRobert J. TizardVientiane 1996WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY, New York

ContentsAcknowledgmentsAbbreviationsConventionsExecutive SummaryRecommendationslts^5[la'];,[aofk0=hltgsoucot1. Survey Area1.1 Background1.2 Description1.2.2 Access1.2.3 Human Settlement2. Survey Description2.1 Objectives2.1.1 Habitat Specific Objectives2.1.2 Wildlife Specific Objectives2.2 Participants2.3 Survey Method2.4 Survey dates and sites2.5 Areas not properly surveyed2.6 Previous surveys3. Habitat and Human Use3.1 Habitats3.2 Human Use3.2.1 Logging3.2.2 Shifting Cultivation3.2.3 Hunting3.2.4 Fishing4. Findings with Respect to Wildlife4.1 Birds4.1.1 Importance of NTX for Birds4.1.2 Key Species accounts4.1.3 Threats to Birds4.2 Mammals4.2.1 Importance of NTX for Mammals4.2.2 Key Species accounts2

5. DiscussionReferencesAnnexes4.2.3 Other Mammals of interest4.2.4 Threats to Mammals4.3 Reptiles4.3.1 Importance of NTX for Reptiles4.3.2 Key Species accounts4.3.3 Threats to Reptiles1. Maps and Place Names2. Terminology and Conventions4. Methods5. Status of Birds6. Status of MammalsList of Figures1. Boundaries within the NGA and NTX for fully protected areas2. The Proposed NTX and NGA in a regional Context3. Place Names and Geographic features mentioned in the text4. Survey Routes and Bases5. Known Distribution of Saola within NTX and NGA6. Known Distribution of Crested Argus within NTX and NGACopyright © WCS and DFRCReproduction of material from this document for education or other non-commercial purposesis authorised without the prior permission of Wildlife Conservation Society, provided thesource is acknowledged.The findings, interpretations, conclusions and recommendations expressed in this documentrepresent those of the authors and do not imply the endorsement of the Wildlife ConservationSociety (WCS), Department of Forest Resource Conservation (DFRC) or affiliatedorganisations. Revisions and updates to taxonomy have been made since this document wasoriginally produced.The designation of geographical entities in this document, and the presentation of thematerial, do not imply the expression of any opinion on the part of WCS or DFRC oraffiliated organisations, concerning the legal status of any country, territory, or area, or itsauthorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.3

Villagers report that the forest within NTX and NGA are home to Saola. Saola is a littleknown ungulate only discovered in 1992. Saola has never been seen in the field by biologistsand almost all information about the animal has come from captive or dead individuals andvillager’s reports. Therefore, there is insufficient information upon which to basecomprehensive management. Saola is not known to occur in large numbers outside of theNTX or the NGA. Because these two areas seem to represent the largest remaining patch(es)of known unprotected habitat for Saola it is essential that these areas should be declared asprotected and then managed for Saola to ensure its survival in the wild. Two other mammalswhich may be new to science, a muntjac and a distinctive rabbit, were discovered in the areain 1995. These species probably occur in the NTX and possibly the NGA, but are presentlytoo poorly known to judge the importance of NTX and NGA for their survival. Otherwise,NTX and NGA seem to support a lower density of many mammals found elsewhere in Laoespecially primates, Ratufa squirrels and large mammals (i.e. big cats, bears, wild cattle, etc.),reasons for which are unclear. The primary threat to all mammals is the escalation of bothforest clearance and hunting as a consequence of immigration to the areas.Human UseHuman habitation in the NTX is confined to the Nam Cham valley and along the extension’swestern boundaries, so at present the inhabitants have only a small and localized effect on theforest. The main threat to the NTX is immigration along the new road used to extract timber.At present the timber extraction itself is on a very localized and specific level (only Fokienia).Hunting pressure in the southern end of NTX is low with only a few Vietnamese loggers andthe occasional Lao Soong (Hmong) hunting party traveling far within its boundaries. Ifsettlement from immigration along the road occurred, the associated hunting and forestclearance for cultivation would quickly degrade all habitats. The northern area has reportedlybeen used by humans for a very long period and within the past 15 years four villages haveeither moved into the NTX or have split from a village already within the NTX. This suggestsa growing population as well as some immigration, which threatens the remaining forestwithin the NTX. All villages within the NTX subsist primarily on swidden agriculture, but atpresent primary forest is not decreasing in large amounts. All observed cultivation was limitedto slashing and burning scrub and old secondary growth. However, the new villages willprobably begin to cultivate primary forested land within the next ten years unlessmanagement measures can be implemented to prevent this.The NGA is heavily inhabited, cleared and cultivated. There are only five significant patchesof forest remaining, all on the tops of mountains and hills. The current state of these patches isunknown; the known forest cover is based solely on examination of satellite images from1992. These forest patches are threatened by swidden agriculture encroaching from lowerslopes and are probably hunted. Although none of them has yet been surveyed specifically forwildlife these areas reportedly still hold population of Saola.It is planned that the new logging road from Lak 7 will be upgraded and expanded to linkremote villages. This will provide access to almost all remaining forest by bisecting thegeographically very thin NTX. Immigration along this road should not be allowed until thelegal status of the NTX is established. If this road is used to provide access to several districtswhich at present are only accessible by river, it should be patrolled to limit extraction ofwildlife from the area. The harvesting of Fokienia should be monitored to restrict degradationof the surrounding habitat during extraction. Pockets of Fokienia should be left to preserverepresentations of this rare habitat in Lao, and to limit the damage to the watershed of theNam Gnouang. In addition, the possibility that leaving some stands of Fokienia would allowfor regeneration of this valuable tree species needs investigation, if it has not beeninvestigated already.6

The proposed Nam Theun 3 Hydroproject may have serious effects on wildlife and habitats ofNTX/NGA, but any assessment of the effects of this project are beyond the scope of thisreport.RecommendationsThe present survey confirms the recommendation by Berkmüller et al (1995) that NTXshould be added to the Nakai-Nam Theun NBCA, based on its high conservation value. Ifthis is done, NTX would provide a link between four protected areas on both sides of theLao/Viet Nam border. The NGA should probably be managed as a separate reservespecifically for the conservation of Saola. The conservation program for Saola should includefurther ecological studies as well as a localized and intensive education program, andeffective legal protection of the animal and its habitat. It is also necessary to gather moreinformation on other species of conservation concern known to occur in the NTX and NGA,and areas not yet visited should be surveyed in the near future. Species of highest concerninclude Crested Argus, an unidentified species of muntjac and a new taxon of rabbit. Surveysof taxonomic groups not covered by the present survey should also be undertaken. This isespecially true for Fokienia cypress trees, the ecology of which needs investigation if currentharvesting of Fokienia is to be done sustainably.RECOMMENDATIONSManagement and Protection of NTX and NGAFor the following reasons the present survey confirms the recommendation by Berkmüller etal. (1995) that NTX should be added to the Nakai-Nam Theun NBCA:• The area includes at least three areas inhabited by Saola and is known to harbor CrestedArgus. Both species are of highest conservation priority in Lao.• It contains a relatively large and little disturbed area of Wet Evergreen Forest, includingFokienia cypress, a highly restricted forest type.• It would link four protected areas across an international border: Nam Chouan PPA to thenorth, NNT NBCA to the south and Pu Mat and Vu Quang Nature Reserves in Viet Namto the east, therefore elevating the viability of each. This would create one of the mostimportant “transboundary reserves” in the region.• Other wildlife communities are poorly known, but based on the quality of habitat and lowlevel of human disturbance they are likely to be significant.• In concert with its high biological importance, the area is under threat from shiftingcultivation, hunting, and logging.The NGA is a largely degraded area with only five significant patches of forest remaining.These patches constitute the largest known unprotected areas within Lao that havepopulations of Saola. In light of Saola’s extremely restricted world range and low populationdensity these areas are critically important to its survival. The protection of the Saola withinLao needs immediate planning. The longer protection is delayed the fewer Saola will be leftto protect and the more difficult effective management will become. Areas within NGAknown to have Saola could be protected in either of two ways:• The addition of NGA to the Nakai-Nam Theun NBCA• The creation of a special, separate reserve, with independent funding and managementtargeted specifically for Saola.The latter option is likely to provide more effective protection for Saola in the area. In eithercircumstance, it is imperative that NGA be managed for protection of Saola as quickly aspossible. This will certainly require close cooperation with and the participation of theDistrict and Provincial Agriculture and Forestry Offices responsible for NGA.• Stop immigration into the NTX until its legal status is determined.7

• As long as it remains a logging road, the new road from Lak 7 should be gated andpatrolled for immigrants, cultivators and hunters, all of whom should be discouraged.• Stabilize shifting cultivation with the goal of no encroachment upon any new forest notpreviously cultivated by the current inhabitants. Disturbed areas surrounding patches offorest utilized by Saola should be specifically managed to reduce areas of shiftingcultivation and promote the regeneration of Saola habitat.• Establish village claim areas, declare unclaimed forest as fully protected and offerincentives for the conservation of village claimed land as well as the stabilization ofshifting agriculture.• Prohibit logging crews from possessing weapons within the NTX.• Conduct an independent and thorough EIA for the Nam Theun 3 hydropower project intime for recommendations to be incorporated before construction.SaolaLao may support the largest population in the world of this unique animal. To conserve it inLao it is necessary to:• Immediately begin a local public information campaign to better the understanding oflocal communities of the global and national importance of Saola.• Undertake meetings with as many villages as possible in NTX/NGA to establish localagreements for the protection of Saola and its habitat.• Begin field studies of the ecology of Saola in Lao. The study should ascertain locationsand approximate numbers of remaining Saola, what habitats this species utilizes and theextent of usable habitat still available for protection.• Help to introduce a national campaign, supported by the highest level of government, toachieve national recognition of the importance of Saola and its critical status.• Invite key political officials such as the President of Lao and General Cheng of BPKP tobecome patrons of a national or international conservation program specifically for Saola.• Give the highest legal protection possible to Saola. This would include a complete ban onthe trade, capture, or hunting of this species throughout its range, with serious penalties foroffenders.• Prepare and begin implementation of Saola conservation management plans in areasknown to contain Saola. This needs to been done in the most expedient way possible. Asthere are large numbers of villages in NGA and large parts of the area are undercultivation, management strategy would have to differ from that in NBCAs. Managementfocus should be on the remaining forest patches where Saola occur and they should betreated as fully protected areas. Shifting cultivation surrounding these forest patches mustbe stabilized. If possible, some degraded areas should be allowed to regenerate to Saolahabitat.Other Wildlife• Initiate studies to assess the status of Crested Argus, its distribution and ecological needswithin NTX. It is suggested that these studies be undertaken along the new logging roadfrom Lak 7, as it provides access to a large population of this species.• Undertake studies on the distribution and ecology of the as-yet-unidentified muntjacspecies.• Undertake studies on the distribution and ecology of the new taxon of rabbit.• Obtain permission to survey birds, mammals and plants in areas not yet visited, especiallythe central area of the NTX.• Survey the remaining forest patches within the NGA. Based on analysis of satelliteimages, these probably hold significant areas of relatively undisturbed forest.• Undertake faunal surveys of other taxonomic groups to provide more information on theecology of the NTX and the NGA, especially within Fokienia cypress forest.8

• Initiate a study of Wet Evergreen Forest as an ecosystem, including studies onclimatological and botanical components.FokieniaIf it has not been done already by the appropriate GoL bodies, the Fokienia harvest should bemonitored and studied to determine:• Does it pose a risk of increased sedimentation in the Nam Gnouang?• How can the harvest be conducted to limit damage to surrounding habitat?• How should the harvest be conducted to insure that this rare and economically valuablespecies is not completely lost in NTX. Possibilities include:-selectively harvesting, i.e., not “clear-cutting”, the Fokienia in NTX butleaving selected trees standing.-setting aside conservation stands, where no Fokienia will be cut.The rarity, high economic value of Fokienia and the fact that cutting is already underway,make such studies of the utmost priority.9

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1. Survey Area1.1 BackgroundThe first wildlife surveys of Nakai-Nam Theun National Biodiversity Conservation Area(NNT) area were undertaken in 1994 by the Wildlife Conservation Society and CPAWM by(Timmins and Evans 1994) and a northern Nakai-Nam Theun extension (NTX) was proposedby Berkmüller et al.(1995) to support the highly localized Wet Evergreen Forest and thewildlife found in it, most notably Saola. In light of new information (Schaller and Rabinowitz1995), it has now become clear that the Saola’s range extends west of NTX. WCS proposesthat this area be managed for protection of Saola the most expedient way possible. This areashould be delineated to include all known remaining Saola habitat between NNT and NamChouan PPA and to provide a link to the eastern edge of the Nam Kading NBCA.1.2 DescriptionThe proposed Northern Extension to NNT (Fig 1) covers approximately 645 km 2 in KhamkeutDistrict of Bolikhamsai Province ( 18°21’-18°48’N, 104°45’-105°12’E ) (Berkmüller et al.1995). The area stretches along the Vietnamese border and currently connects the NamChouan PPA to the north with the Nakai-Nam Theun NBCA to the south and will link withthe proposed Nadee Limestone Extension of the Nam Kading NBCA to the west.(Fig 2).NTX is bordered to the east by the Pu Mat Nature Reserve in Nghe An Province, Viet Nam.The Nam Gnouang Area (NGA) covers approximately 1600 km 2 in Khamkeut andViengthong districts in Bolikhamsai province ( 18°20’-18°47’N, 104°54’-105°5’E ). TheNGA is composed primarily of the Nam Gnouang river and its watershed. The entire area iscrisscrossed by numerous seasonal streams and some permanent rivers that flow into the NamGnouang. The surrounding hills are mostly 900-1000m with a few peaks exceeding 1500m,Phou Chomvoy being the highest at 1821m. All areas along the Nam Gnouang are heavilyutilized by humans and only the higher peaks and ridge tops still retain forest. The lowerslopes along the river have succumbed to shifting cultivation, resulting in a mosaic ofsecondary growth and cultivation, as have its western tributaries. However, deforestation hasprogressed less rapidly along the eastern tributaries which still retain Evergreen Forest in theirupper reaches.The NTX covers an area of the Annamite range that is at considerably lower elevation, mostlybetween 600 and 1000m, than the rest of the range. This low elevation allows the Lao side toreceive precipitation from both the south-western monsoon and, coming from Viet Nam, thenorth-eastern monsoon. The Wet Evergreen Forest that the NTX was proposed to protectoccurs here due to the year round precipitation arising from the two monsoons.1.2.1 AccessThe principle access to the NGA is by boat along the Nam Gnouang and its tributaries. Allvillages within the area are linked with many footpaths that connect with the Nam Gnouang,its tributaries and roads in Lao as well as Viet Nam. A new road has been built in the NTXroughly parallel to the Vietnamese border. This road will reportedly link up the more remotevillages of Kamkeut district. It is unclear whether this road will eventually link up with Route1 in Viengthong District or will continue into Viet Nam. At present this road is being used toextract a valuable species of Fokienia cypress.1.2.2 Human Settlement17

The NGA is heavily settled. Although villages are found mainly along the Nam Gnouang andits tributaries, a few higher slopes away from rivers are also inhabited. The majority of thelower slopes have been heavily utilized for shifting cultivation. The overall result is an area ofhabitat which is generally poor for Key Species. Areas of high deforestation include the NamGnouang, Nam Cham, Nam Gnala, Nam Kan, and Nam Sangoy valleys. Satellite imagesshow that the highest peaks are uninhabited, However, they may used by local people (andVietnamese) for collection of non-timber forest products (NTFP) and hunting.There are six villages in the northern end of the NTX, along the Nam Cham valley. This areareportedly has been inhabited for a very long time and the surrounding area was cleared longago. Within the past 15 years new villages have been established along the valley, indicating agrowing population which may lead to the degradation of forest in the near future (Table 1).Table 1. Northern VillagesVillageNumber ofFamiliesVillageAge inYearsOriginEthnicGroupBan Pokeo 13 1 Ban Phila Lao CangBan Phila Abandoned Ban Sophia, Ban Muangcham Lao CangBan Muangcham 33 100+ Lao CangBan Kwae 13 6 Ban Nyotoom (outside NTX) HmongBan Sophia 16 30 Ban Muangcham Lao CangBan Phonmuan 15 15 Ban Muangcham Lao CangBan Sopkhon 9 7 Ban Phonsi Lao Cang18

2. Survey Description2.1 Objectives• A preliminary assessment of the condition of the major habitats and the presence of KeySpecies of wildlife in and around the NTX and the NGA• To identify areas of conservation importance• To provide recommendations for management.2.1.1 Habitat specific objectives• A inventory of the major habitat types occurring in the NTX and the NGA.• An assessment of overall habitat conditions with particular reference to settled parts of thestudy area and the use of resources by the local population.• The identification of threatened habitats within the study area and an evaluation of therelative importance of various habitats to selected wildlife species.2.1.2 Wildlife specific objectives• A list of bird and mammal species confirmed to occur in each habitat visited, withassessments of status.• The determination of the status of Key Species particularly the Saola.• The collection of incidental data on hunting practices, with levels localities and targetedspecies.2.2 ParticipantsRobert J. Tizard, J. W. Duckworth, Charles M. Francis, and Nik Aspey of WCS andBoonhom Sounthala, Vanthong Phommavongsa, and Kamkhoun Khounboline of CPAWM.2.3 Survey MethodField methodology followed that of previous WCS/CPAWM NBCA surveys (Annex 4).However, observations were comparatively limited for two reasons. First, fewer observersparticipated than in other recent surveys of NBCAs. Second, a large section of the area,including the main block of NTX, was declared off limits to the survey participants byprovincial government officials, and the survey participants were asked to leave the new roadin NTX after only ten days. This last factor, in particular, severely limited the scope of thissurvey, and the results must be viewed in this light. Further work , especially in NTX wouldyield more complete assessments of the status of habitats and Key Species.2.4 Survey Dates and SitesIn NTX, two disjunct areas were visited.Wet Forest Logging Road: this newly built road provides access to wet evergreen forestbetween 800m and 1300m, some of which contains a high concentration of a valuable treespecies Fokienia. The area was visited from April 13 to April 22. The survey team was askedto leave prematurely by provincial government officials for unspecified reasons.Valley of the Nam Cham River: this is the northernmost drainage within the NTX. Thelowlands have been heavily cultivated but the hill tops still retain relatively undisturbedEvergreen Forest as does the area adjacent to the Vietnamese border. This area was visitedfrom May 12 to 19.19

In NGA, the following areas were visited:The Nam Gnouang river and lower Nam Heun river: this tributary of the Nam Theun wastraveled by boat for 28 km. The area is heavily utilized by humans and all observations weremade from the boat. The area was passed through on May 9, 10, 23, and 24.The lower Nam Cham river and middle Nam Heun river: like the Nam Gnouang areheavily utilized by villagers although the density of villagers is lower allowing for largestands of second growth to remain less disturbed. This area was first visited on May 11 with asecond visit May 20-22.2.5 Areas not properly surveyedThe central region of the NTX: this area probably holds the largest block of undisturbedforest in the proposed extension.The remaining blocks of forest within the NGA: judging from 1992 satellite images fivelarge blocks of Evergreen Forest remain within the NGA, from where the bulk of recent Saolareports have come. Permission was not granted to visit these areas.2.6 Previous surveys• Rob Timmins, Tom Evans of WCS and CPAWM staff visited forest along theVietnamese border north of Route 8 near the Nam Kwai in 1994. The survey concentratedon habitat conditions, key wildlife species and human use within Wet Evergreen Forest aspart of the preliminary survey of NNT (Timmins and Evans 1994).• Dr. George Schaller of WCS visited the Nam Pan and Nam Chat valleys of NTX in 1995.The survey concentrated on finding information about large mammals, although dataabout habitats, human use and some bird observations were noted (Schaller 1995).• Alan Rabinowitz and James Wolstencroft visited the wet forest logging road and thelower slopes of Phou Chomvoy mountain in January 1996 (WCS 1996a).• Charles Francis and Nik Aspey of WCS surveyed the wet forest logging road in NTX forbats and small mammals in April 1996 (Francis et. al. 1996).• Rob Timmins visited the proposed Nadee Limestone extension of the Nam Kading NBCAin 1995. His observations covered habitats, key wildlife species, and human use (WCS1995c).• Professor Pheng Phengsintham visited the Nam Chat and Nam Pan river valleys to gatherdata on areas and food plants used by Saola.Details of methods used and caveats are included in Annex 3.3. Habitat and Human Use3.1 HabitatsThe NTX is predominantly Evergreen Forest, with patches of second growth, scrub, andcultivation mosaic. Within NTX, at present only the northern end is known to be inhabited,but signs of former clearings are still present in the form of large stands of bamboo andbananas within relatively undisturbed forest. Several ridges hold the extremely localized WetEvergreen Forest but it is unclear what conditions are necessary to support this habitat,although they are probably related to rainfall. At the time of the survey in May rainfallthroughout the area in the area made differentiation between Wet Evergreen Forest and Dry20

Evergreen Forest difficult, so some areas classified as Evergreen forest may need to bespecified as Wet Evergreen or Dry Evergreen in the future. The higher ridges in the area holdan extremely localized and valuable species of Cypress (Fokienia hoginsii). This tree speciesis being logged along the border between Lao and Viet Nam.The NGA is covered with a mosaic of second growth, scrub and cultivation with EvergreenForest only remaining in five widely separated patches on the larger hills and mountains inthe area.21

3.2 Human Use3.2.1 LoggingLogging of Fokienia cypress is currently taking place at the end of the new road that leavesRoute 8 near Lak 7. This area supports a camp of over fifty loggers and in mid-April theywere extracting 8 truck loads every 3-4 days (although this slowed during heavy rain).Chainsaws were heard daily from 07h00 till dusk with 50-80 trunks waiting along theroadside for trucks at any one time. All people working at the site were Vietnamese. The newroad from Route 8 is planned to continue and it is assumed that it will cover areas of highFokienia concentrations for the sole purpose of extraction.Sustainable logging of Fokienia cypress is problematic since the age of the tree is asimportant as the species. Those areas currently being logged are old growth forest. The treesare desirable for their size which is directly attributable to their age. A sustainable loggingoperation would have to take smaller trees and allow for growth of new trees. It is doubtfulthat waiting for over one hundred years would occur, to enable the harvesting of trees ofsimilar quality. Some areas of old growth Fokienia cypress should be protected from fellingto ensure the survival of this unique ecosystem.3.2.2 Shifting CultivationClearance of forest for agricultural fields reportedly has occurred for at least hundreds ofyears in the Nam Cham Valley of the NTX. Although levels of this practice may have beensustainable formerly immigration and population growth will probably lead to habitatdegradation within the next ten years. No evidence of recently cleared tall evergreen forestwas encountered.3.2.3 HuntingThere was little evidence of hunting in areas visited, with concentrations near villages in theNam Cham valley and at the wet forest logging camp. No snare lines were found and fewhunters were observed. Feathers of plucked birds were only occasionally found specifically inthe Vietnamese logging camp and at Ban Kwae, a Lao Soong village in the Nam Chamvalley. This could reflect the time of year, as most villagers were occupied with rice planting.The lack of any signs, few reports and no observations of large mammals such as elephants,wild cattle, and Tiger, may mean that hunting has already claimed most of these populations(although habitat fragmentation from cultivation would have contributed). The collection ofbirds’ nests, eggs and nestlings was noted in two villages but seems more of a pastime forchildren than an important subsistence activity.3.2.4 FishingMost fishing by villagers is done with nets and traps. No bombs were seen being used orheard in the NTX area although they were being used on the Nam Gnouang river. Reportsfrom Vietnamese visitors claimed the streams on the Vietnamese side of the border have veryfew fish because of bomb fishing and it is likely that Vietnamese will enter Lao morefrequently to exploit the fish resources of the area.22

4. Findings With Respect to Wildlife4.1 Birds4.1.1 Importance of NTX and NGA for BirdsTwenty-four Key Species of birds have been found within the small area of the NTX that hasbeen visited. Four additional key species were found outside the NTX in the NGA. Twentymore Key Species of bird are expected to occur. The population of the Crested Argus withinthe NTX is the largest yet found in Lao and is of Global Importance. Other GloballyImportant populations include those of Yellow-vented Pigeon, Short-tailed Scimitar-Babbler,and Gray Laughingthrush. Species of National Importance that occur in the NTX and theNGA include Malayan Night-Heron and Blyth’s Kingfisher.Table 2. Status of Key Species of Birds in NTX and NGAUpper NamGnouang/LowerNam HeunMiddle NamHeun/LowerNam ChamNorthernBorder Hills(Timmins &Evans 1994)Key Bird SpeciesWet ForestLogging RoadUpper NamCham ValleyPurple Heron[P]Malayan Night-Heron PRufous-throated Partridge LF PBar-backed Partridge P P CSilver Pheasant D D D P PGrey Peacock-Pheasant O O O CCrested Argus C O CRiver LapwingFYellow-vented Pigeon FCoral-billed Ground-Cuckoo P PCrested Kingfisher P P P PBlyth's Kingfisher P P P PBrown Hornbill C P CRufous-necked HornbillWreathed HornbillGreat Hornbill D OBlue-naped PittaPWhite-winged Magpie P P FBlack-throated Tit FBrown Dipper P PShort-tailed Scimitar BabblerPGrey Laughingthrush C P C[Purple Cochoa][O]Rufous-faced Warbler C F CYellow-vented Warbler P OHill MynaPC Common: seen daily, often in large numbers, in favored habitatF Frequent: seen on most days favored habitat is visited, but not usually in large numbersO Occasional: seen on fewer than half the daysP Present: abundance was not assessedD Remains of the species were found, usually in a village or with a hunting party[ ] Indicates a provisional identificationNam Chat and NamPan Valleys (Schaller1995)DP4.1.2 Key Species accounts23

[ ] indicates a provisional identification.[Purple Heron Ardea purpea] Regionally at RiskA single bird thought to be this species was seen flying high over the wet forest logging roadin NTX on 16 April. This species is a local non-breeding visitor in Lao and probably not inany immediate threat.Malayan Night-Heron Gorsachius melanolophus Regionally at RiskUp to four individuals were heard daily at dusk and dawn from the wet forest logging road inNTX. It is quite likely this species breeds in the area. This species is locally distributed andpoorly known. It is unclear how threatened this species is in Lao.Silver Pheasant Lophura nycthemera Regionally at RiskFeathers of this species were found near most villages as well as around old camps and on thewet forest logging road itself. A group of birds was also heard from a boat on the Nam Heunsouth of the Houay Bé. This species is probably widespread within NTX and NGX. As in therest of Lao, this species is a prime quarry species and threatened by hunting.Crested Argus Rheinartia ocellata Globally ThreatenedThis species seems to occur within the NTX at the highest densities yet found in Lao. CrestedArgus has an extremely limited distribution within the Annamites and this population is of thehighest Global Importance. Approximately 25 calling birds were recorded along the final 8km of wet forest logging road. Calling appeared to be more concentrated in Fokienia forestalthough it occurred in both Fokienia and non-Fokienia forest. Three calling birds were heardat the upper end of the Nam Cham valley on the Vietnamese border and one was heard in oldsecond growth near a clearing that was once part of the now abandoned village of Ban Phila.The infrequency with which this species was heard in Nam Cham Valley compared to thelarge number that were heard along the wet forest logging road indicates a much lowerdensity in the Nam Cham Valley and may be a result of higher human disturbance. Elsewherein Lao the highest frequency of calling individuals has been recorded near the Nam Kwai,with a minimum of ten birds estimated within a radius of 1 km (Timmins and Evans 1994).Nam Kwai is less than ten kilometers away within the NTX. Although calls were heardfrequently along the wet forest logging road, no suitable calling areas within 100m of the roadwere being used.This bird turns up occasionally in the daily food market in Lak Sao as well other points oftrade along Route 8, most notably Ban Tongpé. The price ranges from 30,000 kip (US $32)quoted to a Lao to 130,000 kip (US $120) quoted to a foreigner. Crested Argus has alsorecently been found at Zoos in Vientiane. In May 1996 two were seen at the zoo and culturalpark near Thadeua, and one at the zoo at Tulakhom district.Gray Peacock-Pheasant Polyplectron bicalcaratum Regionally at RiskThis species was heard 5 times from Evergreen forest along the wet forest logging road. Thiswas much less frequently than this species has been heard in other areas of Lao, and mayreflect a smaller population in this area. One or two were heard daily along the Nam ChamValley in slightly disturbed areas, especially along rivers. This species is known to callseasonally and may have been under-recorded late in the survey period. This bird is a popularquarry species and threatened by hunting throughout Lao.Rufous-throated Partridge Arborophila rufogularis Regionally at RiskThree to four groups of this species were heard daily in Fokienia cypress forest above 1000m.As with all ground birds hunting and snaring pose a serious threat. Immigration along the wetforest logging road could increase these threats greatly.24

Bar-backed Partridge Arborophila brunneopectus Regionally at RiskOne or two groups of this species were heard daily in Evergreen Forest along the wet forestlogging road. In the upper Nam Cham Valley a single group was heard in hillside evergreenforest. All encounters were at approximately 900-1000 m. This species was not found inFokienia forest. Bar-backed Partridge is relatively widespread in Lao and calling frequencieswere not particularly high compared with other areas recently surveyed.River Lapwing Vanellus duvaucelii Regionally at RiskEight birds were found on the mid and upper Nam Gnouang. The Nam Heun does not holdsuitable habitat for this species (sandbanks in large slow rivers). The densities along the NamGnouang seem to be low compared to the available habitat. This is probably due to humanpresence at high levels.Yellow-vented Pigeon Treron seimundii Globally Near ThreatenedThis species was encountered regularly between 800-1000 m along the wet forest loggingroad. One was observed on 13 April, two on 14 April, three on 19 April, and two separategroups of three and two respectively on 21 April. Surprisingly this was the only Treronpigeon to be encountered with any regularity within the NTX.Coral-billed Ground Cuckoo Carpococcyx renauldii Globally Near ThreatenedOne was heard on two mornings 16 and 20 April in dense secondary growth near theabandoned village of Ban Vangkhi on the wet forest logging road at approximately 800m.Another individual was heard 3 km south of Ban Vangkhi in Evergreen Forest on 16 April,probably a different individual.Crested Kingfisher Megaceryle lugubris Regionally at RiskThis species was encountered along the larger rivers in the area. A single bird was seen flyingalong the Nam Pan on 19 April. Four or five pairs inhabited the Nam Gnouang and NamHeun between the villages of Ban Sopkhom and Ban Sopkhon, while three pairs were foundalong the Nam Cham. This species seems able to tolerate degraded forest habitat as long asthere are wide fast flowing streams in the area.Blyth’s Kingfisher Alcedo hercules Globally ThreatenedThree different territories of this little-known species were located. One along a tributary ofthe Nam Pan, one along the upper Nam Cham, and one along the Houay Bé and a nearbystretch of the Nam Heun. This species prefers small shallow streams with well wooded banksand vegetation that overhangs the water.Brown Hornbill Ptilolaemus tickelli Globally Near ThreatenedThis was the most frequently encountered species of hornbill in Evergreen Forest in theNTX. Along the wet forest logging road individuals were heard almost continuouslythroughout the day, coming from the ridges away from the road, but few were seen. In theNam Cham Valley, a group of five was encountered on May 13 and the species was hearddaily calling from ridgetops.Rufous-necked Hornbill Aceros nipalensis Globally ThreatenedAlthough none was recorded on the present survey, Schaller (1995) found remains of thisspecies within the NTX.Wreathed Hornbill Rhyticeros undulatus Regionally at RiskThis species was not encountered in 1996. Schaller (1995) reported remains of nineindividuals and a flock of 30-40 in the upper Nam Pan valley.25

Great Hornbill Buceros bicornis Regionally at RiskFeathers of this species were found in a Lao Soong village, Ban Kwae, along the Nam Chamnear the present border of the NTX. Schaller (1995) found remains of two within the NTX.The wing beats of a large hornbill (Great, Wreathed or Rufous-necked Hornbill) were heardonce from the wet forest logging road.Blue-naped Pitta Pitta nipalensis Globally Near ThreatenedA male was seen carrying nesting material on 22 May in Mixed Deciduous forest along theHouay Bé (a tributary of the Nam Heun) at 500m. This species as well as other pittas mayoccur much more frequently in the area than the sight records indicate: they are much easierto detect when they are calling.White-winged Magpie Urocissa whiteheadii Globally Near ThreatenedA group of up to eight was encountered on four occasions along the wet forest logging roadwithin non-Fokienia forest at 900-1000m. A group of three in riverside evergreen forestalong the upper Nam Cham on May 15 was the only other group encountered. White-wingedMagpie has been recorded in only two protected areas in Lao.Black-throated Tit Aegithalos concinnus Regionally at RiskOne or two groups were encountered along the wet forest logging road almost daily with 2-5birds per group. This species did not seem to favor either Fokienia or non-Fokienia forest.This species is relatively wide spread in the Annamites and of little conservation concern inLao. Its inclusion in the category of Regionally at Risk is because it is known only from asingle mountain in Thailand.Brown Dipper Cinclus pallasii Regionally at RiskA pair of this species was seen on 21 April along the a tributary of the Nam Pan where itcrosses the wet forest logging road near the abandoned village of Ban Vangkhi.Short-tailed Scimitar Babbler Jabouilleia danjoui Globally ThreatenedTwo were seen in the southern end of the NTX near the Nam Kwai in 1994 (Timmins andEvans 1994). this was the first record of this species outside of Viet Nam.[Spotted Wren Babbler Spelaeornis formosus] Globally Near ThreatenedAn individual thought to be this species was seen in the southern end on the NTX near theNam Kwai. (Timmins and Evans 1994).Gray Laughingthrush Garrulax maesi Globally Near ThreatenedFive to six flocks of up to six individuals seen in a flock were encountered per day along theWet Forest Logging Road . They were approximately equally common within Fokienia andnon-Fokienia forest. A flock of four birds was encountered in evergreen forest along theVietnamese border in the extreme eastern end of the northern section of the NTX. This is thehighest density of this species yet recorded in Lao, making this population of GlobalImportance.Rufous-faced Warbler Abroscopus albogularis Regionally at RiskFour to five flocks of two to five individuals of this species were encountered daily along thewet forest logging road and the upper Nam Cham valley above 800m. This species is listed asRegionally at Risk because it is rare in Thailand. In Lao Rufous-faced Warbler is widespreadin the Annamites and is of low conservation concern.26

Yellow vented Warbler Phylloscopus cantator Globally Near ThreatenedA single individual was seen on April 19 in bamboo scrub along the Wet Forest LoggingRoad (C. M. Francis pers. comm.). This species probably occurs as a winter visitor andpassage migrant within the NTX.[Purple Cochoa Cochoa purpurea] Globally Near ThreatenedThis species was seen in the southern end on the NTX near the Nam Kwai in 1994. (Timminsand Evans 1994)Hill Myna Gracula religiosa Regionally at RiskCaptives of this species were encountered in Ban Phongnam village and two individuals wereseen flying along the Nam Heun near Ban Phongnam. This is a very low number compared toother sites in Lao. This species usually inhabits more open areas and forest edge and asneither of these habitats were surveyed extensively, this may explain the low number ofsightings.4.1.3 Threats to BirdsThe major threats to most Key Species of birds in the NTX and NGA are the furtherdestruction of their habitat, either by swidden agriculture or by logging. No bird speciesseems to be immediately threatened as long the bulk of the area remains inaccessible. If newsettlements are built along the new logging road hunting is likely to increase, dramatically.Hunting on a large scale could have deleterious effects especially if such techniques as masssnaring lines were to be used. The collection along the Wet Forest logging road of CrestedArgus alive for an apparently increasing pet trade is also disturbing.Table 3. Threats to Key Species of Birds in NTX and NGASpeciesNationalImportanceGlobalImportanceHabitatDegradationThreatHuntingThreatSpecific ActionRequired[Purple Heron] Low Low Mid Mid NoneMalaysian Night-Heron High Low Mid Low to Mid Reduce ForestClearance andReduce HuntingBar-backed Partridge Low Low Low ProbablyMidRufous-throated Partridge Mid Low Mid ProbablyMidSilver Pheasant Low Low Low ProbablyMidGray Peacock-Pheasant Low Low Low ProbablyMidReduce ForestClearance andReduce SnaringReduce ForestClearance andReduce SnaringReduce ForestClearance andReduce SnaringReduce ForestClearance andReduce SnaringCrested Argus High High Mid Very High ReduceClearance ofWet EvergreenForest, ReduceSnaring, andMonitor TradeRiver Lapwing Mid Low Very High Mid to Low Reducedisturbance ofsandbanksYellow-vented Pigeon High High Mid? Mid? Control Huntingand ForestClearance27

SpeciesNationalImportanceGlobalImportanceHabitatDegradationThreatCoral-billed Ground Cuckoo Low Low Probably Midto LowHuntingThreatProbablyMid to LowSpecific ActionRequiredReduce ForestClearance andReduce SnaringControl HuntingBrown Hornbill Mid Mid Low ProbablyMid to LowLarge Hornbill sp. Low Low High High Control HuntingBlyth's Kingfisher High Mid High Very Low Protect forestedstreamsCrested Kingfisher Mid Mid to Low High ProbablyLowProtect lowlandrivers andstreamsBlue-naped Pitta Low Low? Low? Low? None?Black-throated Tit Low Very Low Very Low Very Low NoneBrown Dipper Low Very Low Mid to Low Very Low Protectcatchments ofmajor rivers[Purple Cochoa] High Mid to Low Probably Low Very Low Protect WetEvergreenShort-tailed Scimitar-Babbler High High Low? Very Low Protect WetEvergreenGray Laughingthrush High High Low Mid Reduce ForestClearanceRufous-faced Warbler Low Low Low Very Low NoneYellow-vented Warbler Low to Mid Low to Mid Mid? Very Low Reduce ForestClearanceWhite-winged Magpie Mid Mid Low Mid Reduce ForestClearanceHill Myna Low Low Low Mid to High MonitorTrappingGlobal and National importance:Low: species of low priority, or species of medium priority but with small populations in NTX and/or NGAMid: medium priority species with NTX and/or NGA population globally or nationally significantHigh: high priority species, or medium priority species with large populations in NTX and/or NGAWhere no action is recommended it can be assumed that maintaining adequate cover of forest habitat in good condition will besufficient in the short and medium term to conserve the species[ ] Species provisionally identified.4.2 Mammals4.2.1 Importance of NTX for mammalsNTX holds Saola which is an extremely threatened animal. It is thought that NTX provideshabitat for two other recently described species of mammal; an unnamed Muntjac and anunnamed species of rabbit. In relation to some other forested areas of Lao a low density ofmammals was observed especially primates and Ratufa squirrels. However, the only recentsighting of Fishing Cat comes from within the NTX.NGA supports relatively few large mammals because of the high level of human disturbancein the area. The few remaining patches of forest on the higher hills and mountains in the areaare reported to support populations of Saola. This species is so rare and its range apparentlyso small that any population, no matter how small, warrants immediate and strict protection(Schaller and Rabinowitz 1995).The survey of the NTX road was too brief to assess its importance. The area supports anaturally low density of large mammals, making it difficult to assess relative abundance’s insuch a short time period. However, the NTX road provides the only recent field sightings in28

Laos of Chinese Pangolin Manis pentadactyla and Hoary Bamboo Rat Rhizomys pruinosus,previously these species have been found only in food markets or in captivity in villages.Table 4. Status of Key Species of Mammals in NTX and NGAWet ForestLogging RoadPPUpper NamGnouang/LowerNam HeunMiddle NamHeun/LowerNam ChamUpper NamCham ValleyKey Mammal SpeciesSlow LorisPygmy LorisRhesus MacaquePStump-tailed Macaque R R R DDouc Langur R RGibbon sp. P PChinese PangolinPBlack Giant Squirrel P P PInornate Squirrel P PFishing CatPTigerRMuntjac sp. P R R R PSouthern Serow R RSaola R R DC Common: seen daily, often in large numbers, in favored habitatP Present: abundance was not assessedR Reports: information gathered from village interviewsD Remains of the species were found, usually in a village or with a hunting party[ ] Indicates a provisional identificationNorthernBorder Hills(Timmins &Evans 1994)4.2.2 Key Mammal Species accountsSlow Loris Nycticebus coucang Regionally At RiskOne was seen on 17 April along the wet forest logging road near the abandoned village ofBan Vangkhi. This species is usually found frequently during night surveys in lowland areasof Lao. The encounter rate along the NTX road is much lower than in lowland sites surveyedin the same season such as Phou Xang He NBCA (Savannakhet), the middle Xe Namnoy road(Attapu) and Nam Kading NBCA (Bolikhamsai) (Duckworth et al. 1994, WCS 1995b, d), butmirror the low numbers on the Nakai Plateau (WCS 1995a). The species may be mostcommon at altitudes below 500 m, but further data are needed to confirm this.Pygmy Loris Nycticebus pygmaeus Globally ThreatenedOne small loris was seen on 20 April. There is currently some confusion as to the number ofspecies of loris in Lao and their relative distributions. There are two forms of “Pygmy Loris”in Lao and it has not been established to which form the name N. pygmaeus is correctlyapplied. The animal observed was clearly different from the sympatric Slow Loris, but itsrelationship with other claimed “Pygmy Lorises” observed recently in Lao (Duckworth 1994,WCS 1995b, d) could not be established since it was seen by a different observer.Rhesus Macaque Macaca mulatta Regionally at RiskOne group was seen along the Nam Heun on May 22. A young male of this species was keptas a pet in Ban Sopsang and reportedly had come from near the Nam Heun.Two other macaque species, Pig-tailed, M. nemestrina and Assamese Macaque, M.assamensis can be expected to occur, though neither were seen in the field and identificationto species can not be confirmed by village interviews.29

Stump Tailed Macaque Macaca arctoides Globally ThreatenedThis species is distinct enough to be mentioned specifically in village interviews. People inBan Phongnam, Ban Muangcham and Ban Pokeo reported their presence, but relativelyinfrequently. None was seen during the survey.Douc Langur Pygathris nemaeus Globally ThreatenedThis species was reported by a Lao Soong hunter from Ban Nahua, to occur in the southernend of the NTX, especially in the forested slopes of Phou Chomvoy mountain. Reports fromVietnamese loggers along the wet forest logging road, indicate the species probably does notuse Fokienia forest. None was seen during the surveyGibbon sp. Hylobates sp. Globally ThreatenedOne group was observed on 14 April at 09h00, along the wet forest logging road. Animalswere not seen well enough to make even a provisional identification as to which of theHylobates leucogenys / g. siki / g. gabriellae complex they may belong to. Calling was muchless frequent than in many other areas recently surveyed in Lao. The relatively dampconditions of the wet forest may depress singing levels or this may genuinely be reflecting alower population.Chinese Pangolin Manis pentadactyla Regionally At RiskOne along the road at 03h00 on 15 April fell 5 m off the adjacent cliff to land in front of theobserver. This is the first recent field record in Lao, although the species has been observed ina village in the interior of NNT (R. J. Timmins pers. comm. 1996). Other pangolins observedin the market at Lak Sao and at lower altitude in the Nam Theun catchment (Nam Ao forest inNam Kading NBCA, and Nakai Plateau, both in 1995; R. J. Timmins and W.G. Robichaudpers. comm. 1996) were Sunda Pangolin M. javanica. It is possible that M. pentadactyla, amore northern species, occurs at higher altitudes, with M. javanica, the more southern species,at lower altitudes where they are geographically sympatric.Black Giant Squirrel Ratufa bicolor Regionally At RiskSingles were seen on 17 April along the wet forest logging road and in the upper Nam Chamvalley on May 15. At sites across Lao, Black Giant Squirrel seems to be as susceptible tohuman pressure through habitat clearance and/or hunting (Duckworth et al. 1994, WCS1995a-e, Duckworth 1996). The paucity of records from NTX mirrors records for severalother species which were either not recorded (notably Small-toothed Palm Civet andmonkeys), or were scarce (gibbon).Inornate Squirrel Callosciurus inornatus Regionally At RiskTwo were seen on 20 and 21 April along the wet forest logging road in NTX. Anothersquirrel seen on 20 April resembled Inornate Squirrel but was much more reddish in generaltone, with the soft gray color of the underparts extending further up onto the cheeks. The tailhad fairly prominent barring and a noticeable dark tip to the tail, comparable in prominence tothat of local C. erythraeus. This could represent a C. inornatus/C. erythraeus hybrid orpossibly extreme individual variation in C. inornatus. The habitat preferences of this squirrelare not understood but it has not been found to be common at any site in Lao.Fishing Cat Felis viverrina Insufficiently KnownOne was seen swimming across the Nam Pan (WCS 1996a). This is the first recent record forLao. This little-known cat is extremely difficult to detect in the wild and the threats it facesare unclear. This species probably requires small and medium-sized streams in relativelyundisturbed forest. Hunting, especially with snares and habitat degradation are probably thebiggest threats they face.30

Tiger Panthera tigris Globally ThreatenedAll village interviews claim that there are no Tigers remaining within the NTX. Timmins andEvans (1994) stated that Tigers were reported in the southern end of NTX and Schaller(1995) reported seeing Tiger tracks in the upper Nam Pan and the upper Nam Chat valleys.This species may still occur at a very low density. It is susceptible to hunting and habitatclearance.Southern Serow Maemorhedus sumatraensis Globally ThreatenedThis species was reported to be common on the hillsides within the northern end of the NTX.The horns of these animals were also frequently encountered. This species seems to bewidespread, yet poorly understood in Lao.Saola Pseudoryx nghetinhensis Not yet rated probably Critically ThreatenedA photograph of this species was immediately recognized in every village visited (Figure 4).It was reported to occur in both Wet and Dry Evergreen Forest on the higher hills andmountains in the both NGX and NGA. Most reports came from between the Nam Gnouangand the border with Viet Nam. The species was also reported for the first time to occur in anarea north-west of the Nam Gnouang. In summary, Saola is reported to occur in the followingareas (Figure 5): in the hills to the east of Ban Koang and Ban Phonsi (hills around BanPhanviang), to the north and west of Ban Phonsi and Ban Phonngam, and to the north-west ofBan Muangcham.WCS received ten reports of Saola from the southern end of the NTX in 1994 (Timmins andEvans 1994). In 1995 four further areas of Saola occurrence were identified: the southern endof the NTX, an area of hills between the Nam Pan and the Nam Chat within the center of theNTX, the hills around Ban Phanviang (between the Nam Chat and the Nam Heun), and arelatively small area around Phou Chomvoy (Schaller 1995). At present only two of thesesites are proposed for protection. In the course of an investigation into Saola foraging habitsin the area in early 1996, there were reports of Saola occurrence in the following areas: nearthe mouth of the Nam Pan, Ban Nam Mong (in the Houay Pang valley), and at two sites nearBan Sensi (Pheng 1996). An interview conducted with a Lao Soong (Hmong) hunter in LakSao provided reports from the following areas: two adults captured in upper Nam Chat valleyin the fall of 1995, one shot in the Nam Chat valley near Ban Nam On, and ‘many’ found inthe hills north of the Nam Gnouang near Phou Hindam. In addition, a female Saola wascaptured in the Nam Thong valley upstream from Ban Soppong in January 1996 and sent tothe BPKP menagerie in Lak Sao.The horns of this species were found in Ban Phongnam. Villagers in Ban Sopkhom and BanPhonsi reportedly sold Saola horns to buyers in Lak Sao in the past year. Sets of hornsreported to have come from the Nam Gnouang area have also been found in Ban Viengchongand Lak Sao. The set in Lak Sao has since been sold. The incidents of villagers trading inSaola horns is increasing, based on comparison of current trade with that in 1994.NTX and NGA includes the majority of the known range of this species in Lao that is notlegally protected. The Saola was only discovered in 1992 and is confined to a small range inthe Annamite mountains of central and Lao and Viet Nam. Although some village interviewshave claimed Saola ranges further north of NTX and further south than NNT, this has yet tobe confirmed. Judging from the information now available it is probable that the NTX andNGA are the most important sites thus far surveyed for the survival of this species in Lao.The paucity of hard data makes any estimate of Saola numbers in Lao necessarily crude.However, the current best estimate is that fewer than 1,000 survive in Lao, and these numbersare being depleted by hunting and live-capture at an unknown rate. The species is alsothreatened by the increasing fragmentation of its habitat by shifting cultivation, road building31

and logging. This results in smaller, separated populations which are less viable than a large,continuous population.Muntjacs spp. Muntiacus and Megamuntiacus spp.Muntjacs were heard “barking” on three occasions within ten days along the wet evergreenforest, ‘trophies’ (the upper skull, pedicles, and antlers) were seen in most villages. The rateof calling was lower than that found in areas of lower elevation in Lao, this may have beendue to the higher altitude. At least three species are likely to occur in NTX: Indian MuntjacMuntiacus muntjak, Large-antlered Muntjac Megamuntiacus vuquongensis and a yetunnamed species Muntiacus sp. found in 1995 in the BPKP menagerie (Schaller 1995).Village reports suggest three species are found in the south of NTX and two species in thenorth of NTX and NGA. The known field characters (other than the antlers) of the recentlydescribed Large-antlered Muntjac are based on only three animals, and therefore the range ofnatural variation within this species is not understood. On several occasions village reportshave indicated a single species when both Indian and Large-antlered occur (R. J. Timminspers. comm.), therefore information gathered in village interviews may be incorrect. Theunnamed species of muntjac is distinctive, being much smaller and darker than the other twospecies and is therefore probably reliably reported in village interviews. This species isthought to inhabit forest along the Lao border with Viet Nam. Like other large mammals inthe area it is most seriously threatened by hunting and habitat clearance.4.2.3 Other mammals of interestunnamed rabbit provisionally identified as Nesolagus sp. Not yet RatedTwo specimens of this species were obtained at the Lak Sao market, they reportedly camefrom near Ban Tongpé, near the southern end of NTX. This species is new to science andsince it has not been found elsewhere in Lao it may possibly be reliant on Wet EvergreenForest which is restricted to the central Annamites in this area.Owston’s Palm Civet Chrotogale owstoni Globally ThreatenedThis species has recently appeared in Lak Sao in both the BPKP menagerie and the CarnivorePreservation Trust facility. All individuals have reportedly come from the area of Ban Tongpénear the southern end of the NTX. A recent sighting in Vu Quang Nature reserve across theborder in Viet Nam of a captive specimen came from evergreen forest (Lambert 1994). This,combined with the fact that earthworms have been found in their stomachs (Osgood 1932),suggest that they may inhabit Wet Evergreen Forest within the NTX, where earthworms areexceedingly common. This species is very poorly known with the few known recent sightingsin the world coming from Viet Nam.Indochinese Pig Sus bucculentus Globally ThreatenedIn 1996 35 to 40 people interviewed in eight villages within the NTX and NGA, claimed onlya single species of pig was present. In contrast Schaller (1995) reported in 1995 a species ofpig other than the widespread Eurasian Wild Pig Sus scrofa. This species most likelyrepresents a separate species known as Sus bucculentus formerly considered as a subspeciesof Warty Pig Sus verrucosus and is known from only a single specimen from southern VietNam. The distribution and habitat needs of this species remain unclear.4.2.4 Threats to MammalsThis area is unique in that it supports populations of mammals with an extremely small worldrange, possibly being confined to a small area in central and northern Lao and central VietNam, most notably Saola, an unnamed species of Muntjac, and an unnamed species of Rabbit.As a consequence of their restricted range, protection of NTX and NGA is of importance tothese species’ survival. The continued fragmentation of habitat due to shifting cultivation and32

the degradation of habitat due to logging will reduce the available habitat for any remaininglarge mammals and further reduce their numbers. Hunting as everywhere in Lao is seriouslyreducing mammal populations as a whole. Enforced restrictions on animal harvests must beimplemented as soon as possible. If these unique species are to survive then protection ofhabitat and prevention of hunting must occur.Table 5. Threats to Key Species of Mammals in NTX and NGANational GlobalHabitatDegradation HuntingKey Mammal SpeciesImportance Importance Threat Threat Specific action requiredSlow Loris Low Low Low? Low NonePygmy Loris Low Low Low? Low NoneRhesus Macaque Low Low Low? High Prevent HuntingStump-tailed Macaque Mid to Low Mid Mid High Prevent HuntingDouc Langur Low Low Mid High Prevent HuntingGibbon sp. Low Low Mid High Prevent HuntingChinese Pangolin Mid Low Low High Prevent Hunting and Monitor TradeBlack Giant Squirrel Low Low Low High Prevent HuntingInornate Squirrel Low Low Low Mid Prevent HuntingFishing Cat High Mid Mid Mid Prevent HuntingTiger Low Low Mid High Prevent Hunting and Stop TradeMuntjac sp. Mid High Mid High Prevent HuntingSouthern Serow Mid Mid Mid High Prevent HuntingSaola High High High HighProtect all remaining habitat andPrevent HuntingGlobal and National importance:Low: species of low priority, or species of medium priority but with small populations in NTX and/or NGAMid: medium priority species with NTX and/or NGA population globally or nationally significantHigh: high priority species, or medium priority species with large populations in NTX and/or NGAWhere no action is recommended it can be assumed that maintaining adequate cover of forest habitat in good condition will besufficient in the short and medium term to conserve the species[ ] Species provisionally identified.4.3 Reptiles4.3.1 Importance of NTX for ReptilesThe distribution of reptiles within Lao remains little known. Only in the past few years has itbecome apparent that there is a sizable trade of reptiles from Lao to Viet Nam and China. Thistrade is concentrated on turtles and large snakes. Although reptiles were not a focus of thesurvey, incidental information on the species seen was recorded.4.3.2 Key Reptile Species accountsIndochinese Box Turtle Cuora galbinifrons Globally ThreatenedOne individual was found next to the Nam Cham approximately 4 km from the Vietnameseborder. This species has been found frequently in villages within NNT this is one of very fewfield sightings, and the northernmost record in Lao.Soft-shell Turtle TrionychidaeTwo captive individuals were examined in Ban Sopsang. Both had carapaces ofapproximately 30 cm in diameter. This group of turtles is poorly known within Lao andidentification even to genus was not possible. Soft-shell Turtles are widely harvested and soldfor food in regional markets. This collection if allowed to continue may serious deplete theirpopulations.33

4.3.3 Threats to ReptilesReptiles in Lao are collected for food and medicine. There is a growing trade in reptilesbetween Lao and Viet Nam. Harvest should be limited and all trade should be strictlymonitored, if it is to be allowed at all.5. DiscussionThe area surveyed contains populations of 28 Key Species of birds and 15 Key Species ofmammals, the most important of which are Crested Argus and Saola. NTX and NGA togethermay harbor the largest population in the world of Saola, one of the least known and mostendangered large mammals. NTX has the highest density yet found in Lao of Crested Argus,one of the world’s rarest and least known large pheasants. In addition, NTX harbors arestricted forest type, Wet Evergreen, and a highly restricted and economically-valuable treespecies, Fokienia cypress.Wildlife in these areas are currently under threat from hunting, shifting cultivation, logging,road building, and possibly the proposed Nam Theun 3 hydropower project. Consequently,NTX should be added to NNT as currently proposed. Doing so would also link four protectedareas along the Lao/Viet Nam border and provide the potential to create a globally importanttransboundary reserve. In addition, all other Saola habitat outside of NTX between NNT andNCN, i.e., the area encompassed by NGA, should be managed specifically for the protectionof Saola. This area includes many villages and large areas of disturbed land, and so theprotected area will need a different set of guidelines regarding hunting, cultivation etc. thando the NBCAs. It is imperative that the entire area be set aside because of the tiny worldrange of Saola and the animal’s rarity. It should also be managed as a whole instead of assmall reserves for the disjunct Saola populations that are thought to remain. In the future thereversion of cultivated land into areas suitable for the Saola would be desirable.The Crested Argus population is probably not in such immediate danger as long as itspreferred habitat of Evergreen Forest on hill slopes remains intact and relatively undisturbed.Immediate restrictions on the hunting and capture for the wildlife trade of Saola, CrestedArgus, and other Key Species should be imposed.The cutting of Fokienia trees needs investigation into means of making the harvestsustainable, if this has not been done already. The species is rare, of high economic value,and may be at risk of being lost from Lao if logging is not carefully planned.Due to restrictions placed on this survey, further studies of the fauna and flora of NTX andNGA are strongly recommended. Furthermore, management of NGA for the conservation ofSaola should be planned and implemented as quickly as possible. This may bear on theprospect for global survival of the species.34

ReferencesBerkmüller, K., Southammakoth, S. and Vene Vongphet. 1995. Protected Area System Planning andManagement in Lao PDR: Status Report to mid-1995. Vientiane: unpubl. report to Lao-SwedishForestry Cooperation Programme.Collar, N. J., Crosby, M. J. and Stattersfield, A. J. 1994. Birds to Watch 2: The World List ofThreatened Birds. Cambridge, U.K.: BirdLife International (Conservation Series No. 4).Duckworth, J. W. 1994. Field sightings of the Pygmy Loris, Nycticebus pygmaeus, inLaos. Folia Primatol. 63: 99-101.Duckworth, J. W. 1996. Conservation Concerns in the Vientiane Forestry CollegeTraining and Model Forest, Sang Thong District, Vientiane Municipality, Laos. DongDok, Laos: unpublished report to the Lao-German Forestry Team.Duckworth, J. W., Timmins, R. J., Thewlis, R. M., Evans, T. D. and Anderson, G. Q. A. 1994.Field observations of mammals in Laos. Nat. Hist. Bull. Siam Soc. 42: 25-53.Duckworth, J. W., Evans, T. D., Robichaud, W. G., Thewlis, R. M., Timmins, R. J. and Tizard, R. J.in prep. Ornithological records from Laos, 1994-1995. Forktail.Ernst, C. H. and Barbour, R. W. 1989. The Turtles of The World. Washington D.C. and London.Smithsonian Institution Press.Francis, C. M., Khounboline, K., Aspey, N. 1996. Report on 1996 survey of bats and small mammalsin the Nakai-Nam Theun NBCA and nearby areas. unpublished report to the WCS Lao Program.Groombridge, B. 1993. The 1994 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Gland, Switzerland andCambridge, UK: IUCN.King, B. F., Woodcock, M. and Dickinson, E. C. 1975. A Field Guide to the Birds of South-EastAsia. London: Collins.Lambert, F. R., Eames, J. C. and Nguyen Cu 1994. Surveys for Endemic Pheasants in the AnnameseLowlands of Viet Nam, June-July, 1994: Status of and Conservation Recommendations forVietnamese Pheasant Lophura hatinhensis and Imperial Pheasant L. imperialis. IUCN SpeciesSurvival Commission. IUCN, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK.Lekagul, B. and Round, P. D. 1991. A Guide to the Birds of Thailand. Bangkok: Saha Karn Bhaet.Nowak, R. M. and Paradiso, J. L. 1991. Walker’s Mammals of The World. 5th ed. Baltimore. TheJohns Hopkins University Press.Osgood, W. H. 1932. Mammals of the Kelley-Roosevelts and Delacour Asiatic Expeditions. Chicago.Field museum of Natural History.Salter, R. E. 1993. Wildlife in Lao PDR. A Status Report. Vientiane: IUCN.Schaller, G. and Rabinowitz, A. 1994. The saola or spindlehorn bovid Pseudoryx nghetinhensis inLaos. Oryx 29: 107-114.Schaller, G. 1995. A Wildlife Survey in the Annamite Mountains of Laos. Vientiane: unpublishedtrip report to The Wildlife Conservation Society.Thewlis, R. C. M., Duckworth, J. W., Evans T. D. and Timmins, R. J. in prep. The status andconservation of threatened birds in Laos: a preliminary assessment based upon recent surveys.Timmins, R. J. and Evans, T. D. 1994. Wildlife and habitat survey of the Nam Theun NationalBiodiversity Conservation Area. Vientiane: draft report to the National Office for NatureConservation and Watershed Management.Treesucon, U. and Round, P. D. 1990. Report on threatened birds in Thailand. Tigerpaper 17: 1-9.Wildlife Conservation Society. 1995a. A preliminary wildlife and habitat assessment of the NamTheun 2 hydropower project area. Vientiane: unpublished report to the Committee for Planningand Cooperation of the Government of the Lao P.D.R. and the Project Development Group of theNam Theun 2 Hydropower project.Wildlife Conservation Society. 1995b. A survey of terrestrial wildlife in the area to be affected bythe proposed Xe Nam Noy - Xe Pian Hydroelectric Project. Vientiane: unpublished report to theCommittee for Planning and Cooperation of the Government of the Lao P.D.R. and ElectrowattEngineering Services.35

Wildlife Conservation Society. 1995c. A wildlife and habitat assessment of the Nam Theun 1hydropower project area. Vientiane: unpublished report to the Committee for Planning andCooperation of the Government of the Lao P.D.R. and Electrowatt Engineering Services.Wildlife Conservation Society. 1995d. A wildlife and habitat assessment of the Theun-Hinbounhydropower project area. Vientiane: unpublished report to the Hydropower Office of the LaoP.D.R. Ministry of Industry and Handicrafts and to Norplan A/S.Wildlife Conservation Society. 1995e. A preliminary survey of Phou Khao Khouay NationalBiodiversity Conservation Area. Vientiane: unpublished report to the Department of Forestry ofthe Government of the Lao P.D.R.Wildlife Conservation Society. 1996a. Additional surveys and recommendations on the birds andmammals for the Nam Theun 2 hydropower project, with emphasis on the Proposed Corridor andthe Reservoir Islands Area. Vientiane: unpublished report to the Government of the Lao P.D.R.and the Project Development Group of the Nam Theun 2 Hydroelectric Project.36

Annex 1: Maps and Place NamesThe following map sheets were used during the fieldwork:RDP Lao Service Geographique d'Etat, 1: 100 000 (1985); E-48-42, 43, 54, and 55Topographic features shown were broadly accurate, including the boundaries of major landcovertypes. Several village names in local use differed from those mapped, while in thenorthern portion the maps seemed to be largely inaccurate on the location and naming of mostvillages. Many of the natural features on the maps are unnamed or have names differing fromthose in local usage. Names used in the text are those in local use, corrections to the1:100,000 topographic maps are listed in Table 6 and shown in Fig. 3.Table 6. New villages within NTXName on topographic maps Local Name Grid-referenceNone Ban Pokeo 837735None Ban Kwae 809722None Ban Sophia 786699None Ban Phonmuan 79670037

Annex 2: Terminology and Conventions2.1 Key SpeciesKey Species are species considered to be of conservation concern interest and are thought tobe threatened globally or regionally.Key bird Species are those listed in any of the following sources:1. The highest priority species are those listed as Globally Threatened (GT) in Collar et al.(1994).2. Globally Near-Threatened (GNT) species are listed in the same book and are thought likelyto move into the Globally Threatened class soon, unless action is taken.3. Treesucon and Round (1990) and Round (1988), list species which are at risk in Thailandwhich may therefore be threatened or vulnerable in Laos (there is no comparable list forLaos or Indochina). These species are considered Regionally at Risk (RAR)4. Thewlis et al. (in prep.) list species which have shown a documented decline in Lao in thelast fifty years, greater than the sum loss of their habitat; these species are listed as NHD‘National Historical Decline’.Key mammal Species are those listed in the following sources:1. The highest priority species are those listed as Globally Threatened (GT) by Groombridge(1993).2. Species considered to be possibly regionally at risk (RAR) are listed in Salter (1993).Key reptile Species are those listed in the following sources:1. The highest priority species are those listed as Globally Threatened (GT) by Groombridge(1993).2. Further turtle and tortoise species are those listed in IUCN/TFTSG (1991) with thefollowing action plan ratings (APR):(APR 1) Known threatened species.(APR 2) Restricted range species requiring status assessment but thought to bethreatened.(APR 3) Widespread species which are probably in need of conservation action.2.2 Nomenclature and systematicsBird nomenclature and systematicsNomenclature and taxonomic limits of species for birds follow Lekagul and Round(1991), with King et al. (1975) used for systematic order and species not found in Thailand.Mammal nomenclature and systematicsNowak and Paradiso (1991) is generally followed, with exceptions where noted.Testudine nomenclature and systematicsErnst and Barbour (1989) is followed throughout.38

Annex 3: Methods3.1 Limitations1. Work along the wet forest logging road, the main access into NTX, was curtailed bypermission problems.2. After provincial authorities asked the survey team to leave NTX, it spent a great dealof projected field time in securing permission to re-enter the NTX area.3. Representative areas of the northern and southern sections of the NTX and NGAwere covered at least briefly. Areas which were not visited but which may differ inhabitat or be important for some species are:The slopes of Phou Chomvoy mountain above 1000 m;The center of NTX, especially the upper Nam Chat valley;The five remaining patches of forest cover in the NGA said to hold Saola.3.2 Habitat Surveys3.2.1 Habitat evaluationHabitat was surveyed primarily as a framework for assessing wildlife status and human usage.The major natural vegetation types were identified and categorized according to vegetationtype. Man-made habitats were a mosaic of secondary growth and agriculture and likely to beof low conservation significance and no detailed classification was attempted.3.2.2 Human useAnecdotal information concerning the human use of NTX and the NGA was collected byobservation during fieldwork and in discussion with local residents (see wildlife interviews3.6 below). There was no formal survey of human use and such work was not appropriate tothe team members' expertise.3.3 Bird Survey3.3.1 Field observationField observation was the chief method, with the emphasis on maximizing encounters,especially of Key Species. Observers moved singly along foot trails or sat where birdsconcentrated (e.g. fruiting and flowering trees), areas with good under-story visibility andbreaks in the canopy. Effort was centered away from areas with heavy human disturbance butall habitats were covered. Altitudes of all significant records was noted.Bird remains found in the field and birds (dead or alive) carried by people or found in villagehouses (see 3.6 below) were examined.3.3.2 Sound-recordingTape-recorders were used to record vocalizations for later identification. Some attempt wasmade to draw birds to the observer using playback.3.3.3 Interviews39

Information was sought concerning a small number of species or species groups (namelypheasants identifiable to species and hornbills with distinction of large or small) in interviewswith local people, see 3.6 below. Although hunters readily recognize showy groups such ashornbills, species identifications are sometimes not reliable. A few such reports are discussedin the results.3.4 Mammal Survey3.4.1 Opportunistic observation of mammalsDiurnal mammals directly sighted (principally squirrels, treeshrews and primates) wererecorded opportunistically during fieldwork. Signs were examined and identified wherepossible, chiefly tracks and scat. However, because many genera are polytypic (particularlythose of conservation interest, e.g. Bos, Panthera, Ursus, Cervus) few prints areunequivocally identifiable to species.3.4.2 InterviewsInterviews with local people were done (see 3.6 below) to gather information onelusive and scarce species. Confirmation was sought whenever possible.3.5 Village InterviewsInformal interviews were done with inhabitants of five villages in the northern section of theNTX as well as with Vietnamese loggers on the wet forest logging road. Five other villageswere interviewed in the NGA. The interview technique was a flexible one aimed at gatheringinformation informally, rather than a structured interview. Time constraints meant that someinformants were asked only about the highest priority species while other informants werequestioned over a period of several days (when growing confidence and trust led them to givemore detailed information, particularly about hunting practices). The aim was to gather dataon wildlife status and distribution and on local human interaction with wildlife. Although itwas easy to elicit information on the former topics, discussion of the latter, particularlyhunting activities, was often avoided by the villagers. Status information was soughtparticularly on those species which are hard to confirm or assess by field methods. Speciesfor which information was sought were chosen according to the ability of local people toidentify them positively. This ruled out many small species such as small cats, civets, mostrodents, bats and birds. Informants (preferably people who regularly used the forest) wereasked about the presence of broad groups of species such as deer, cats or pheasants, howmany species they thought were present and a detailed description of each (especially in thecase of closely similar species). Opportunities for confirmation, for example by examinationof antlers, skins and feathers was taken whenever possible. People encountered in the forestwere drawn into friendly conversation to establish their purpose in entering the forest andwhat species they had seen. First hand confirmation was sought when informants reportedwildlife incidents or sightings for which they were not eyewitnesses. Local names weregathered. Results are discussed under the relevant sections (4.1.2 for birds and 4.2.2 formammals). Indication of apparent abundance was sought by asking when the last sightingwas, or on what percentage of visits to the forest a particular species was seen.The village interviews resulted in few recent reports of most large mammals and large birds,confirming the scarcity of these species.40

Annex 4. Bird StatusTable 7. Bird Species recordedWet ForestLoggingRoadUpper NamGnouang/LowerNam HeunMiddle NamHeun/LowerNam ChamUpper NamChamValleyAltitude 800-1300m 400-600m 400-600m 600-1100mPurple Heron [P] Ardea purpureaLittle Heron C P Butorides striatusChinese Pond-Heron P P ArdeolaCattle Egret P Bubulcus ibisLittle Egret P Egretta garzettaMalayan Night-Heron P Gorsachius melanolophusCinnamon Bittern P Ixobrychus cinnamomeusBlack Baza F Aviceda leuphotesCrested Honey-buzzard [P] P P P Pernis ptilorhyncusCrested Serpent-eagle C P P F Spilornis cheelaBesra [P] AccipitervirgatusCrested Goshawk P P Accipiter trivirgatusChinese Goshawk P Accipiter soloensisShikra P Accipiter badiusBlack Eagle C P F Ictinaetus malayensisRufous-throated Partridge LF Arborophila rufogularisBar-backed Partridge P P Arborophila brunneopectusSilver Pheasant P P P Lophura nycthemeraRed Junglefowl P P P P Gallus gallusGrey Peacock-Pheasant O O O Polyplectron bicalcaratumCrested Argus C O Rheinardia ocellataquail sp. P CoturnixWhite-breasted Waterhen P Amaurornis phoenicurusPheasant-tailed Jacana P Hydrophasianus chirurgusRiver Lapwing F Vanellus duvauceliiYellow-vented Pigeon F Treron seimundiThick-billed Pigeon [P] Treron curvirostraMountain Imperial-Pigeon F F Ducula badiaOriental Turtle-Dove F P Streptopelia orientalisSpotted Dove C C P Streptopelia chinensisGrey-headed Parakeet F P P Psttacula finschiiLarge Hawk-Cuckoo F Cuculus sparverioidesHodgson's Hawk-Cuckoo P[C] Cuculus fugaxIndian Cuckoo C P C C Cuculus micropterusDrongo Cuckoo C F P C Surniculus lugubrisGreen-billed Malkoha P P Phaenicophaeus tristisCoral-billed Ground-Cuckoo [P] Carpococcyx renauldiGreater Coucal C P Centropus sinensisMountain Scops-Owl C Otus spilocephalusCollared Scops-Owl O Otus lempijiCollared Owlet C Glaucidium brodieiAsian Barred Owlet F P P Glaucidium cuculoidesBrown Hawk-Owl P Ninox scutulatafrogmouth call (Hodgson's) F BatrachostomusGreat Eared Nightjar P Eurostopodus macrotisNightjar sp. P CaprimulgusSwiftlet sp. 1 P P P AerodramusSwiftlet sp. 2 P AerodramusWhite-throated Needletail C Hirundapus caudacutusWhite-vented Needletail P P Hirundapus cochinchinensisneedletail sp. P P Hirundapus41

Wet ForestLoggingRoadUpper NamGnouang/LowerNam HeunMiddle NamHeun/LowerNam ChamUpper NamChamValleyAltitude 800-1300m 400-600m 400-600m 600-1100mPacific Swift C P Apus pacificusAsian Palm-Swift P Cypsiurus balasiensisRed-headed Trogon C P F Harpactes erythrocephalusCrested Kingfisher P P P Megaceryle lugubrisBlyth's Kingfisher P P P Alcedo herculesCommon Kingfisher P P Alcedo atthisWhite-throated Kingfisher C Halcyon smyrnensisBlack-capped Kingfisher P Halcyon pileataChestnut-headed Bee-eater C Merops leschenaultiBlue-tailed Bee-eater P Merops philippinusBlue-bearded Bee-eater P Nyctyornis athertoniIndian Roller P Coracias benghalensisDollarbird P P P Eurystomus orientalisBrown Hornbill C P Ptilolaemus tickelliGreat Hornbill Feathers Buceros bicornisRed-vented Barbet P Megalaima lagrandieriGolden-throated Barbet C Megalaima frankliniiBlue-throated Barbet P Megalaima asiaticaMoustached Barbet F F Megalaima incognitaBlue-eared Barbet [P] Megalaima australisSpeckled Piculet P Picumnus innominatusRufous Woodpecker F Micropternus brachyurusGreater Yellownape F Picus flavinuchaLesser Yellownape P Picus chlorolophusCommon Goldenback P Dinopium javanenseStripe-breasted Woodpecker [P] Picoides atratusGrey-capped Woodpecker P Picoides canicapillusBay Woodpecker F Blythipicus pyrrhotisBlue-naped Pitta P Pitta nipalensisRed-rumped Swallow [P] Hirundo dauricaHouse-martin sp. P Delichon urbica / D. dasypusBar-winged Flycatcher-shrike F Hemipus picatusLarge Wood-shrike P Tephrodornis virgatusLarge Cuckoo-shrike C Coracina maceiIndochinese/Black-winged C-shrike P C. polioptera / C. melaschistaAshy/Rosy Minivet [O] Pericrocotus divaricatus / P. roseusGrey-chinned Minivet F Pericrocotus solarisScarlet Minivet C C F Pericrocotus flammeusBlue-winged Leafbird P Chloropsis cochinchinensisOrange-bellied Leafbird F Chloropsis hardwickiiBlack-crested Bulbul P Pycnonotus melanicterusRed-whiskered Bulbul C C F Pycnonotus jocosusPuff-throated Bulbul F P P Criniger pallidusGrey-eyed Bulbul F P Hypsipetes propinquusMountain Bulbul LF Hypsipetes mcclellandiiBlack Drongo P Dicrurus macrocercusAshy Drongo P P P P Dicrurus leucophaeusCrow-billed Drongo P Dicrurus annectansBronzed Drongo P Dicrurus aeneusLesser Racket-tailed Drongo C Dicrurus remiferHair-crested Drongo F C F Dicrurus hottentottus42

Wet ForestLoggingRoadUpper NamGnouang/LowerNam HeunMiddle NamHeun/LowerNam ChamUpper NamChamValleyAltitude 800-1300m 400-600m 400-600m 600-1100mGreater Racket-tailed Drongo C F P Dicrurus paradiseusBlack-naped/Slender-billed Oriole P Oriolus chinensis / O. tenuirostrisMaroon Oriole C Oriolus trailliiGreen Magpie P Cissa chinensisWhite-winged Magpie P P Urocissa whiteheadiBlue Magpie F P Urocissa erythrorhynchaGrey Treepie C Dendrocitta formosaeRatchet-tailed Treepie C P Temnurus temnurusLarge-billed Crow C P Corvus macrorhynchusBlack-throated Tit F Aegithalos concinnusSultan Tit C Melanochlora sultaneaVelvet-fronted Nuthatch F Sitta frontalisBrown Dipper P P Cinclus pallasiiPuff-throated Babbler P Pellorneum ruficepsBuff-breasted Babbler C P C Trichastoma tickelli[Abbott's Babbler] [P] [Trichastoma abbotti]White-browed Scimitar-Babbler P Pomtorhinus schisticepsRed-billed Scimitar-Babbler C Pomatorhinus ochraceicepsCoral-billed Scimitar-Babbler P Pomatorhinus ferruginosusStreaked Wren-Babbler P Napothera brevicaudataEyebrowed Wren-Babbler [P] Napothera epilepidotaRufous-fronted/Rufous-capped Babbler C Stachris rufifrons / S. ruficepsGolden Babbler C Stachyris chrysaeaGrey-throated Babbler C Stachyris nigricepsSpot-necked Babbler F Stachyris striolataStriped Tit-Babbler LC C C P Macronous gularisWhite-crested Laughingthrush P Garrulax leucolophuslaughingthrush sp. P P GarrulaxGreater Necklaced Laughingthrush P P Garrulax pectoralisGrey Laughingthrush C P Garrulax maesiBlack-throated Laughingthrush P Garrulax chinensisSilver-eared Mesia C Leiothrix argentaurisWhite-browed Shrike-Babbler F Pteruthius flaviscapisBlack-eared Shrike-Babbler P Pteruthius melanotisChestnut-fronted Shrike-Babbler F Pteruthius aenobarbusWhite-hooded Babbler P Gampsorhynchus rufulusBlue-winged Minla F Minla cyanouropteraRufous-winged Fulvetta P Alcippe castanecepsGrey-cheeked Fulvetta C F Alcippe cf. A. morrisoniaStriated Yuhina P Yuhina castanicepsBlack-chinned Yuhina C Yuhina nigrimentaWhite-bellied Yuhina C P Yuhina zantholeucaGrey-headed Parrotbill F Paradoxornis gularisOriental Magpie Robin O C F F Copsychus saularisWhite-rumped Shama P Copsychus malabaricusSlaty-backed Forktail P P C F Enicurus schistaceusWhite-crowned Forktail P Enicurus leschenaultiStonechat O Saxicola torquataWhite-throated Rock-Thrush P Monticola gularisBlue-Whistling Thrush C Myiophoneus caeruleusEyebrowed Thrush P Turdus obscurus43

Wet ForestLoggingRoadUpper NamGnouang/LowerNam HeunMiddle NamHeun/LowerNam ChamUpper NamChamValleyAltitude 800-1300m 400-600m 400-600m 600-1100mWhite-spectacled/Grey-cheeked Warbler P Seicercus affinis / S. poliogenysGolden-spectacled Warbler P Seicercus burkiiChestnut-crowned Warbler P Seicercus castanicepsYellow-bellied Warbler C F Abroscopus superciliarisRufous-faced Warbler C F Abroscopus albogularisDusky Warbler LC Phylloscopus fuscatusRadde's Warbler P Phylloscopus schwarziInornate Warbler F Phylloscopus inornatusGreenish/Two-barred Warbler P P P. trochiloides / P. plumbeitarsusBlyth's Leaf-Warbler P Phylloscopus reguloidesWhite-tailed Leaf-Warbler C Phylloscopus davisoniYellow-vented Warbler P Phylloscopus cantatorBlack-browed Reed-Warbler P Acrocephalus bistrigicepsPallas's Grasshopper Warbler P Locustella certhiolaLanceolated Warbler P Locustella lanceolataCommon Tailorbird P P Orthotomus sutoriusDark-necked Tailorbird P Orthotomus atrogularisGrey-breasted Prinia P F Prinia hodgsoniiHill Prinia F Prinia atrogularisSlaty-bellied Tesia [P] Tesia oliveaAsian Brown Flycatcher F P Muscicapa dauuricaMugimaki Flycatcher P Ficedula mugimakiRed-throated Flycatcher F Ficedula parvaSmall Niltava F Niltava macgrigoriaeHainan Blue Flycatcher P F Cyornis hainanaGrey-headed Flycatcher P Culicicapa ceylonensisWhite-throated Fantail C Rhipidura albicollisBlack-naped Monarch O Hypothymis azureaAsian Paradise-flycatcher P Terpsiphone paradisiForest Wagtail P Dendronanthus indicaOlive-backed Pipit LC Anthus hodgsoniBrown Shrike P Lanius cristatusBlack-collared Starling C Sturnus nigricollisWhite-vented Myna C Acridotheres javanicusHill Myna P Gracula religiosaPurple-naped Sunbird P Hypogramma hypogrammicumGould's Sunbird C Aethopyga gouldiaeFork-tailed Sunbird F Aethopyga christinaeBlack-throated Sunbird C Aethopyga saturataCrimson Sunbird P F Aethopyga siparajaStreaked Spiderhunter C F Arachnothera magnaThick-billed Flowerpecker P Dicaeum agilePlain Flowerpecker P P Dicaeum concolorBuff-bellied Flowerpecker P Dicaeum ignipectusEurasian Tree-Sparrow P P Passer montanusWhite-rumped Munia LF F Lonchura striataScaly-breasted Munia F Lonchura punctulataCoverage Fair Poor Poor Fair/PoorC Common: seen daily, often in large numbers, in favored habitatP Present: abundance was not assessedR Reports: information gathered from village interviewsD Remains of the species were found, usually in a village or with a hunting party[ ] Indicates a provisional identification44

Annex 5. Mammal RecordsTable 8. Mammal Species recordedUpper NamGnouang/LowerNam HeunMiddle NamHeun/LowerNam ChamWet ForestLogging RoadUpper NamCham ValleyAltitude 800-1300m 400-600m 400-600m 600-1100mNorthern Treeshrew P Tupaia belangeriSlow Loris P Nycticebus coucangPygmy Loris P Nycticebus pygmaeusRhesus Macaque P Macaca mulattaStump-tailed Macaque R R R Macaca arctoidesDouc Langur R Pygathris nemaeusHylobates leucogenys / g. siki /g. gabriellaeGibbon sp.PChinese Pangolin P Manis pentadactylaBlack Giant Squirrel P P Ratufa bicolorPallas's Squirrel F Calosciurus erythraeusInornate Squirrel P Calosciurus inornatusStriped Squirrel sp P TamiopsRed-cheeked Squirrel F Dremomys rufigenisLesser Giant Flying Squirrel P Petaurista elegansIndian Giant Flying Squirrel P Petaurista phillipensisHog Badger P Arctonyx collarisCommon Palm Civet P Paradoxturus hemaphroditusMasked Palm Civet P Paguma larvataSambar R R R Cervus unicolorMuntjac sp. P R R R Muniacus/MegamuntiacusSouthern Serow R R Naemorhedus sumatraensisSaola R R R R Pseudoryx nghetinhensisCoverage Fair Poor Poor PoorC Common: seen daily, often in large numbers, in favored habitatP Present: abundance was not assessedR Reports: information gathered from village interviewsD Remains of the species were found, usually in a village or with a hunting party[ ] Indicates a provisional identification45