WCS Lao PDR

From Diplomacy to the Forest: Bridging Development and Nature

jmauer@wcs.org — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 08:56:00 GMT

Manoly at NPA Roadmap Kick-Off. Photo credit: Phetpakay Bounhaxay ©️WCS Lao PDR When people imagine conservation work, they often picture scientists tracking wildlife through dense forests or rangers protecting wild places on the front lines. My journey into conservation began in a different place: policy meetings, diplomatic receptions, and development discussions about how countries grow. I was born and raised in Vientiane, the capital of Laos, and originally trained to become a diplomat. I began my career at a multilateral development bank in the 2010s, working on Laos’ green growth strategy and projects related to forests, biodiversity, water, and rural livelihoods. At the time, I did not see myself as a conservationist. I was simply passionate about international cooperation for peace and national development. I saw how investment decisions inevitably shape the future of nature, and how development itself depends on the ecosystem services that healthy landscapes provide—from the pollination of flowers by insects to the filtration of water by wetlands—making it essential to plan development in ways that avoid irreversible harm. At the same time, my work took me into Laos’s vast protected landscapes, including Nam Et–Phou Louey National Park and the forests of the Annamite Range. Guided by rangers and community members who have lived alongside these ancient forests for generations, I began to experience these landscapes more deeply. They are home to multiethnic communities who share a close relationship with the land, alongside endemic and critically endangered species, forming some of the most biologically rich forests in the world. Laos established its first national protected areas in 1993, around the same time I was learning to move as a toddler. My first encounter with the idea of “protected areas” and “wildlife conservation” came in Grade 4, when a poster of bird species from Nam Kan Protected Area was taped beside the classroom blackboard. I was captivated. At the time, I never imagined a career in conservation. I didn’t even know it existed. Years later, the lending portfolios I worked on connected me directly with Laos’ Department of Forestry, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), and the real world of protected areas and wildlife conservation, including their challenges. This experience inspired me to pursue a master’s degree at Cornell University to deepen my understanding of how policy, science, and local realities could come together to strengthen both conservation and development outcomes. Manoly at Basi Ceremony by local villagers. Photo credit: Phetpakay Bounhaxay ©️WCS Lao PDR In 2019, I was privileged to join the WCS Lao PDR Program as Deputy Country Director. More limited in scope at the time, we have since expanded both our team and conservation portfolio significantly. Today, I help co-lead a team of around 100 professionals working across protected area and wetland management, wildlife protection, biodiversity-compatible livelihoods, and private sector engagement. Much of my work focuses on supporting the Lao government in strengthening governance systems that safeguard biodiversity in line with national and international commitments. This includes assisting with the development of protected area and wildlife legislation, improving law enforcement capacity, and integrating tools such as the Mitigation Hierarchy into development planning, ensuring that investments are designed to avoid irreversible harm to species and habitats. We also apply a One Health approach that links animal, ecosystem and human health to prevent disease emergence. Working in conservation has taught me the importance of attentive listening. Environmental policy involves many voices: government officials, scientists, enforcement officers, communities, development partners, and businesses. My role is to help represent the interests of nature. Building trust across these perspectives is essential. Professionalism, humility, and persistence are more effective than ego or confrontation. Manoly visiting local villager in Nam Et-Phou Louey National Protected Area. Photo credit: Phetpakay Bounhaxay ©️WCS Lao PDR From my experience, women often bring a collaborative, bridging perspective and a can-do attitude to this work. We are practiced in navigating complexity, finding common ground, and ensuring that diverse viewpoints are heard and respected —not for personal gain, but to achieve outcomes that benefit both people and nature. Conservation—and development—need that kind of leadership. My motivation is also deeply personal. I feel fortunate in many ways—I was not trapped by poverty nor constrained by opportunity. I want others to have that same freedom: the chance to read, to express themselves, to study, to travel, to work, and ultimately to choose a path that contributes to protecting life on Earth. That privilege carries responsibility. Manoly and Jane Goodall. Photo courtesy Manoly Sisavanh As Laos continues to develop, roads and railways will be built and industries will expand. Our responsibility is to help shape this investment wisely—using science, knowledge, and cooperation in peaceful, inclusive, and sustainable ways. When conservation is embedded in the policies and systems that guide development, economic progress can advance while safeguarding the ecosystems on which societies depend. To me, conservation means ensuring that present and future generations respect and share landscapes where forests still stand, wildlife still thrives, and ecosystems continue to sustain livelihoods, economies and human wellbeing—as interconnected parts of a single, living system. By Manoly Sisavanh, Published on PBS

Siamese Crocodiles released into the Xe Champhone wetlands to restore this critically endangered species

jmauer@wcs.org — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 03:38:00 GMT

According to a survey data and report from Crocodile Specialist Group (CSG IUCN) with fewer than 1,000 Siamese crocodiles (Crocodylus siamensis) remaining in the wild, the species is listed as Critically Endangered by the the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The Xe Champhone Wetland located in Champhone District, Savannakhet Province represents the largest of Lao PDR’s two Ramsar sites (Wetland of International Importance) and is home to an abundance of aquatic biodiversity, as well as one of the world’s last remaining populations of the critically endangered Siamese crocodile, endangered turtle species and wetland birds. This year’s crocodile release ceremony was held in Donyanong Village, Xonnabouly District, Savannakhet Province, and was hosted by Mr. Soubin Luangduang, Chairperson of the District Administration Committee of Xonnabouly District. A total of 56 crocodiles were released into the wild. The event brought together over 100 participants, including representatives from the Department of Forestry under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Provincial Agriculture and Environment Office, Dr. Santi Saypanya, the Country Director of WCS Lao PDR, representatives from District Administration Committees from the four target districts (Champhone, Xonnabouly, Songkhone, and Xaybouly), members of the project implementation and management committees at both provincial and district levels, as well as target community members from 27 villages participating. Mr. Soubin Luangduang, Chairperson of the District Administration Committee of Xonnabouly District said in his opening remarks: “Based on the history of these Siamese crocodiles, local communities have a long history with them. In the past, these crocodiles lived and fed on aquatic species in natural water bodies such as ponds, oxbows and wetlands. This species has unique characteristics that distinguish it from other crocodile species, including its environmentally friendly behavior, distinctive coloration and patterns and its small to medium size. Historically, this species has not been known to attack humans or livestock.” “This ceremony is considered an important activity for the conservation and restoration of the Siamese crocodiles, as well as for the management of a species that is at risk of extinction in the future. The ceremony also included religious rites performed by monks, which help foster spiritual confidence and respect for the conservation of this species.” Mr. Soubin Luangduang continued. The wetland and its unique biodiversity, including the Critically Endangered Siamese crocodile, are culturally, ecologically and economically important to the local community and Laos. While crocodiles are not hunted, they remain under threat due to entanglement in fishing nets, the clearance of wetlands and seasonal draining of habitat for expanding dry-season rice cultivation. The Siamese crocodile is not considered to be an aggressive species and is not a threat to humans. Communities that reside close to the species’ habitat continue fishing and farming in the Xe Champhone wetlands as crocodiles hold a spiritual significance and bring good luck to them. A dedicated conservation program for the Siamese Crocodile in close collaboration with the local communities and government is in place in the four target districts (Xonnabouly, Champhone, Songkhone, and Xaybouly) of Savannakhet Province aiming to restore a viable population of this species. Eggs are collected and transported to the village administration office for incubation at ambient temperature for about two months. Once hatched, the baby crocodiles will be raised for about 75-80 days – at which time they will exceed 1 meter in length – and then released back into the wetlands.189 small crocodiles are currently being nursed by the crocodile conservation team at the village level. Since the start of the program, a total of 239 crocodiles have been successfully released back into the Xe Champhone wetlands. Around 10 nests are being found each year and based on these nest counts, an estimated population of 300-350 Siamese Crocodiles including small crocodiles inhabit the Xe Champhone Wetlands.

Signing Ceremony for Memorandum of Understanding Guardians of Lao Nature between the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and the Wildlife Conservation Society, Lao PDR

jmauer@wcs.org — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 04:27:00 GMT

Dr. Somvang Phimmavong, Director General of Department of Forestry, opened with thanks “on behalf of the Government, particularly the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the European Union for its continuous assistance and support. I also extend my heartfelt thanks to the Wildlife Conservation Society Lao PDR for being a reliable and committed development partner. I look forward to our continued cooperation and shared success in the future.” The MoU signing was co-chaired by Dr. Somvang Phimmavong, Director General of Department of Forestry, Ambassador H.E. Mark Gallagher, the European Union and Santi Saypanya, Country Director of Wildlife Conservation Society Lao PDR, in the presence of representatives from Central, Provincial and District Government, the European Union Delegation, and the Wildlife Conservation Society. The Guardians of Lao Nature project is a partnership between the Wildlife Conservation Society and the Sustainable Agriculture and Environment Development Association (SAEDA) in joint efforts with the Lao government and local communities to establish strong civil society networks directly engaging in co-management of protected areas and protecting Lao biodiversity, forest ecosystems and wetlands. The European Union Ambassador H.E. Mark Gallagher emphasized “through this project, communities will be empowered to become true stewards of their environment. By strengthening civil society, enhancing co-management capacities, and fostering dialogue, Guardians of Lao Nature promotes a model where conservation, livelihoods, and local governance reinforce one another. It will also raise awareness and communicate more effectively the value of nature for the future of Lao PDR.” At the heart of the program is the Forest Development Village model, a nationally recognized framework under the new Protected Area Decree of the Forestry Law that empowers local communities living within or adjacent to conservation areas, to work directly with Protected Area and wetland authorities to protect forests, wildlife, and natural resources. “Forest Development Villages show that when communities are empowered as stewards of nature, both people and ecosystems benefit” explained Santi Saypanya, Country Director of Wildlife Conservation Society Lao PDR. The three year project will strengthen the role of civil society organizations in forest and natural resource management through the structure and networks of Forest Development Villages, improve participatory protected area and wetland management by enhancing the capacity of social networks to directly develop and implement village-level forest management plans and enable civil society organizations to contribute to national policy development on land and resource tenure, forest, protected area and wetland management.

Lao PDR Advances Practical Frameworks for “No Net Loss” and “Net Gain” of Biodiversity to Support a Nature-Positive Future

jmauer@wcs.org — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 03:12:00 GMT

The Department of Forestry (DOF), in partnership with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Lao PDR, convened a national protected area managers’ consultative meeting in Luang Prabang to strengthen the implementation of recently adopted legal measures related to protected area management and responsible development. The meeting, held under the theme “Responsible Investment and Development for Positive Impacts on Nature,” was chaired by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Somvang Phimmavong, Director General of DOF, and brought together 50 participants from the protected area sector, the National University of Laos, and technical organizations, including WCS and CDE. The consultation represents a practical and incremental step in Lao PDR’s efforts to align national development priorities with the CBD Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) and its commitment to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030. Recognizing that economic development remains essential for poverty reduction, livelihoods, and national growth, discussions focused on how to gradually and realistically operationalize the Biodiversity Mitigation Hierarchy (Avoid, Minimize, Restore, Offset) as a tool to guide investment and development toward achieving No Net Loss and, where feasible, Net Gain of biodiversity. “This meeting strengthens our collective ability to balance development with the protection of our natural heritage,” said Dr. Somvang Phimmavong. “By applying the mitigation hierarchy more rigorously, we can avoid damages and safeguard critical ecosystems while enabling responsible economic growth that benefits the people of Laos.” The meeting directly supports Activity 2.5 of the National Protected Area (NPA) Roadmap, endorsed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment in August 2024. Participants emphasized that: Avoidance of high biodiversity and irreplaceable ecosystems must be the first priority before any land-use conversion or development. Project proponents must conduct robust analysis of development alternatives in line with Lao natural resources and environmental laws, including the 2024 Environmental Protection Law, 2022 EIA Decree, the 2019 Forestry Law, the 2023 Wildlife Law, and Decrees governing forest and wetland areas. Stronger collaboration between project developers, relevant sectors, the Department of Forestry, the Department of Environment, and independent experts is essential to ensure credible, science-based decision-making that is workable within Lao’s institutional and economic context. To strengthen transparency and accountability, CDE presented practical tools such as the Land Concession Information System (LCIS) and the Quality of Investment (QI) assessment, which can help identify, track, and manage biodiversity risks and opportunities associated with investment projects. Reflecting on the process, Mrs. Manoly SISAVANH, Deputy Country Director, WCS Lao PDR, noted, "This meeting marks the beginning of an important process for Laos. The immediate priorities are to clearly identify and agree on no-go areas where avoidance must non-negotiably apply, and to develop robust scientific methods for calculating biodiversity loss and gain under the mitigation hierarchy. By working closely across sectors—both vertically and horizontally—and combining rigorous science with practical planning, Laos can gradually build a system that supports measurable biodiversity outcomes while also contributing to national sustainable development goals." The meeting concluded with initial agreement on the key elements that should inform a future data, legal, and policy framework on the Biodiversity Mitigation Hierarchy, which will be further developed through continued collaboration between the government and partners. Photo and news by: Department of Forestry

Bridging Efforts and Opportunities to Strengthen Environmental Law Research and Teaching in Lao PDR

jmauer@wcs.org — Mon, 20 Oct 2025 08:11:00 GMT

Under the Cooperation Between the Faculty of Law and Political Science, National University of Laos and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) - Lao PDR. The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Lao PDR believes that capacity and education are key to protecting wildlife. By supporting teachers and students to better understand natural resource and environmental laws, WCS aims to build greater awareness of wildlife crime and inspire future leaders to help stop it. This effort supports the Party and Government’s policies on advancing a rule-of-law state. In the Academic Year 2023-2024, WCS Lao PDR started providing technical and financial support to the Faculty of Law and Political Science (FLP), National University of Laos. With WCS support, scientific legal research was conducted on three key topics: (1) Problems and Challenges in the Prosecution of Wildlife Trade Crime through Online Media, (2) Criminal Offence Regarding Wildlife Crime, and (3) Evidence Required by Forestry Authority and People’s Prosecutor in the Prosecution of Wildlife Crime. All research papers will be used as lessons for officers and officials who engage in actual enforcement of the laws in Lao PDR. In the Academic Year 2024-2025, the cooperation and support on legal research expanded to include the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), Ministry of Justice (based in Luang Prabang province, Vientiane Capital, Savannakhet and Champasak provinces) and the Faculty of Law and Political Science (FLP) of Champasak University. As part of this initiative, students took the lead, guided by their teachers, in developing thesis and final research projects on laws related to wildlife crime in Lao PDR. A total of nine research topics were pursued, including two at the Master’s level and seven at the Bachelor’s level. These cover critical issues such as wildlife crime and money laundering, corruption linked to wildlife crime, implementation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in Lao PDR, and the challenges of prosecuting wildlife crimes at the local level. These graduation thesis and final projects were completed, and the students reported on their findings on 29 August 2025 in Vientiane Capital. To ensure students' knowledge was enhanced with hands on practical implementation, the project provided support to law students from the Faculty of Law and Political Science, National University of Laos and the National Institute of Justice, Ministry of Justice (in Luang Prabang province) who received internships in relevant government agencies, such as: Office of the People’s Prosecutor of local level. Department of Forestry, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and Department of Environmental Police, Ministry of Public Security. To promote in-dept awareness and understanding about wildlife crime issues, lectures were also organized to law students and teachers on key topics, including; status of wildlife crimes occurring at international, regional level and in Lao PDR, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES), national legislations related to wildlife crime and practical enforcement in Lao PDR. Over the past two academic years, collaboration between the Faculty of Law and Political Science (FLP) at the National University of Laos and WCS Lao PDR has delivered promising results. With the next generation of law students who will become future lawyers and the teachers serving as the “printing blocks” of the nation, this partnership builds confidence that the next generation will play a vital role in advancing conservation, preventing wildlife crime and strengthening environmental law in line with National policies. The Wildlife Crime Legal Research initiative activities with the NUOL-FLP were implemented under the Memorandum of Understanding between the Office of the Supreme People’s Prosecutor (OSPP) and WCS on Cooperative Action to Combat Wildlife Crime. Project funding support from the US State Department Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement and the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection project to support and strengthen criminal justice institutions and CITES actions against wildlife crime.

The Office of the Supreme People’s Prosecutor Upholds Increased Efforts to Monitor and Prosecute Crimes Related to Natural Resources and the Environment

jmauer@wcs.org — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 01:39:00 GMT

The Cooperative Action (Co-ACTION) against wildlife crime project between the Office of the Supreme People’s Prosecutor (OSPP) and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has achieved results. The OSPP, convening local prosecutors across the country, has recognized and reached a shared understanding that: “Wildlife crime is a serious crime connected to transnational organized crime networks and large-scale businesses and is also linked to other serious crimes such as crimes related to weapons, narcotics, human trafficking, money laundering, and terrorism.” Wildlife crime has now been elevated to become a top priority of the prosecutors nationwide, with prosecutors to intensify the monitoring and prosecution of criminal cases involving natural resources and the environment in general, and specifically cases involving aquatic animals, wildlife, and forest resources. These must not be resolved through administrative measures but must be prosecuted, strictly following the judicial process, alongside related crimes such as money laundering. This is to ensure the implementation of the Party’s policies, state governance, and the rule of law, as well as to fulfill international treaties and conventions, such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). On July 7, 2025, the President of the OSPP, issued Order No. 05/OSPP on Prosecution of Crimes Related to Natural Resources and the Environment, addressed to local and military prosecutors nationwide as follows: 1). For offenders of crimes against natural resources and the environment as specified in Articles 326–353 of the Penal Code (2017) and other relevant laws, prosecutors are strictly prohibited from coordinating with investigators to administratively adjudicate and settle cases, dismiss them, or release offenders; 2). In cases involving offenses related to natural resources and the environment, which are considered criminal offenses under the Penal Code and other laws, the Public Prosecutor shall monitor, inspect, and coordinate with the relevant authorities to conduct investigations and gather evidence in the money laundering case simultaneously in accordance with the law; 3). In cases of violations, those responsible must face strict legal consequences. You can read the full text of the order here.

Celebrating the Successes of ECILL & Collaborative Action for Protected Areas

jmauer@wcs.org — Mon, 19 May 2025 06:39:00 GMT

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, together with the European Union (EU), the Embassy of France to Lao PDR, and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) celebrated the success of the Ecosystem Conservation through Integrated Landscape Management (ECILL) Project. The project closing ceremony, held in Vientiane, was chaired by Vice Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, H.E. Mr Kikeo Singnavong, EU Ambassador to Lao PDR, H.E. Mr Mark Gallagher, Deputy Head of the Embassy of France to Lao PDR, Mr Alain Perrier, and attended by representatives from the Government of Laos, the EU, French Development Agency (AFD), WCS, and NPA Managers. Since its start in March 2020, the ECILL project has aimed to reduce current rates of biodiversity and habitat loss by adopting a holistic approach to landscape management. ECILL works to ensure the security of Lao PDR's forests and biodiversity, and to assist rural communities in sustainably managing their natural resources. The project is located in three priority landscapes of high biodiversity, ecosystem services, and natural capital value: (1) the Nam Et-Phou Louey National Park, (2) the Integrated Ecosystem and Wildlife Management Landscape in Bolikhamxay Province, and (3) the Xe Champhone Ramsar Wetlands in Savannakhet Province. The ECILL project, worth a total of €6.8 million, has been co-funded by the European Union and the Agence Française de Développement and implemented by WCS Lao PDR in joint efforts with the Lao government and local communities. Key achievements of the ECILL project include: Improved integrated protected area management and broader system-wide improvements in management effectiveness have been achieved with over 740,000 hectares of high biodiversity habitat, including forests, wetlands protected. Strengthened policy related to biodiversity conservation, forest, and wetland protection to support institutionalizing national protected area systems in Lao PDR. Established or expanded conservation enterprises that are climate-smart, linked to conservation outcomes that deliver economic benefits for communities, including community-based tourism and environment-friendly sustainable agriculture. Speaking at the closing ceremony, H.E. Mr Kikeo Singnavong, Vice Minister of Agriculture and Forestry said: “I thank the EU, AFD and WCS for their long-lasting partnership and efforts in contributing to these key successes to preserve Lao PDR’s unique forests and biodiversity. ECILL’s achievements are a testament of our shared commitments to conservation and biodiversity goals. We hope we can continue our positive engagement and collaboration after the ECILL project”. The Ambassador to the European Union in Lao PDR, H.E. Mr Mark Gallagher mentioned: “Over the past 5 years, the ECILL project has been instrumental in piloting a collaborative and holistic approach, to strengthen the security of the country’s forests and ecosystems, safeguarding the unique and rich biodiversity of Lao PDR, while creating sustainable opportunities for local communities.” “I would like to express profound gratitude to all our partners, including the Department of Forestry, the provincial authorities, the French Development Agency, and the Wildlife Conservation Society. Your dedication and support have been crucial to reaching our collective goals. Our gratitude also extends to the local communities and stakeholders who have embraced and participated in this initiative. Your engagement and commitment have been vital to the project's success”, added Mr Mark Gallagher. The Deputy Head of the French Embassy, Mr. Alain Perrier, emphasized that France, through the French Development Agency, would continue to support the government's efforts to ensure that Laos' forests, wetlands, and biodiverse landscapes remain a source of sustainable development for the country and its communities. The ECILL closing ceremony was preceded by a meeting engaging National Protected Areas (NPAs) managers from the 26 NPAs and NGO partners to create a collaborative action for Protected Areas towards the Mining-Forest Nexus and to strengthen partnerships. The workshop’s objective was to brainstorm on how to support the full and effective implementation of Prime Ministerial Orders no. 06 and 11 and Protected Areas policies through better oversight of mining concessions, stronger environmental impact assessments, and more robust enforcement of forestry and land laws. ““The issuance of Prime Ministerial Orders No. 06 and No. 11 establishes a robust and timely policy framework for the conservation of Lao PDR’s most biologically significant protected areas—particularly those within the Annamite Mountains, limestone karst landscapes, and high-altitude ecosystems. These areas harbor unique flora and fauna, including numerous endemic species found nowhere else in the world, thus reaffirming the vision of H.E. Kaisone Phomvihane, who described the forests of Lao PDR as ‘green gold.’ These protected landscapes may rightfully be considered the country’s most valuable ecological assets—its ‘green gold’ or natural diamonds. The Orders clearly underscore the urgent need to strengthen law enforcement, enhance governance, and fully integrate forest and environmental protection into national development strategies. The ECILL initiative has demonstrated that effective forest and environmental governance is not only feasible but also achievable when supported by strong political commitment, coordinated institutional efforts, and strategic policy coherence,” stated Dr. Somvang Phimmavong, Director General of the Department of Forestry. ECILL has supported and influenced key policy dialogues in natural resource management, providing both technical and financial contributions. By strategically engaging in high-level dialogues, ECILL has strengthened Laos’ standing in biodiversity conservation, ensuring continued political commitment beyond the ECILL project. As ECILL is closing, the established frameworks, strengthened institutional capacities, and multi-stakeholder partnerships will ensure that conservation remains a central pillar of Laos’ national agenda, paving the way for sustained environmental and economic benefits. The closing ceremony was attended by 70 people from the Department of Forestry of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Protected Area Management Sections, representative of the Government of Lao PDR at the national and subnational levels, the Embassy of France to Lao PDR, the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the European Union Delegation (EU), the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), and development partners.

Siamese Crocodiles released as Wetland Information Center opens in Savannkhet

jmauer@wcs.org — Mon, 12 May 2025 03:52:00 GMT

Government stakeholders and the Wildlife Conservation Society officially opened the Xe Champhone Wetland and Savannakhet Crocodile Information Center and released back 10 crocodiles into the Xe Champhone wetlands to restore this critically endangered species The opening ceremony for the Xe Champhone Wetland and Crocodile Information Center took place in Tansoum village, Champhone District, Savannakhet Province in presence of the Mr. Khammone Thilavong the Deputy Director of Provincial Forestry and Agriculture, Mr. Khamta Sinnasone the Deputy Governor of Champhone District, monks, the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and students. At the ceremony, 10 Siamese crocodiles were also released into the Xe Champhone wetlands to boost the existing population. With less than 1000 Siamese Crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis) remaining in the wild, this species is ranked as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The Xe Champhone Wetland located in Champhone District, Savannakhet Province represents the largest of Lao PDR’s two Ramsar sites (Wetland of International Importance) and is home to an abundance of aquatic biodiversity, as well as one of the world’s last remaining populations of the critically endangered Siamese crocodile, endangered turtle species, and wetland birds. The new Information Center offers an immersion in the incredible biodiversity of the Xe Champhone wetlands and showcases the conservation work carried out by the communities in partnership with local authorities and conservation partners. With educational panels displayed all along the visitors' path as well as wall murals on the Siamese crocodile lifes, the Xe Champhone wetland and crocodile information center invites visitors to discover and learn about the fascinating wildlife of Savannakhet province. "I hope that the opening of the Xe Champhone Wetland and Crocodile Information Center, along with today's release of the crocodiles, will bring lasting benefits to local communities as part of a long-term conservation effort. I also trust that everyone here shares a strong commitment to environmental preservation and the protection of these endangered species.", Mr. Khammone Thilavong, Deputy Director of Provincial Forestry and Agriculture. The wetland and its unique biodiversity, including the Critically Endangered Siamese crocodile, are culturally, ecologically, and economically important to the community of Tansoum Village and Laos. While crocodiles are not hunted, they remain under threat due to entanglement in fishing nets, the clearance of wetlands and seasonal draining of habitat for expanding dry-season rice cultivation. The Siamese crocodile is not considered to be an aggressive species and is not a threat to humans. Communities that reside close to the species’ habitat continue fishing and farming in the Xe Champhone wetlands as crocodiles hold a spiritual significance and bring good luck to them. A dedicated conservation program for the Siamese Crocodile in close collaboration with the local communities and government is in place in the four target districts (Xonnabouly, Champhone, Songkhone, and Xaybouly) of Savannakhet Province aiming to restore a viable population of this species. Eggs are collected and transported to the village administration office for incubation at ambient temperature for about two months. Once hatched, the baby crocodiles will be raised for about 32 months – at which time they will exceed 1 meter in length – and then released back into the wetlands. So far this year, 68 crocodiles have been released and 163 small crocodiles are currently being nursed by the crocodile conservation team at the village level. Since the start of the program, a total of 183 crocodiles have been successfully released back into the Xe Champhone wetlands. 6 to 8 nests are being found each year, and based on these nest counts, an estimated population of 200-250 Siamese Crocodiles inhabit the Xe Champhone Wetlands. This conservation program is part of the ‘Ecosystem Conservation through Integrated Landscape Management in Lao PDR’ (ECILL) project funded by the European Union and the Agence Française de Développement and implemented by WCS. The center opening ceremony and Crocodile release event was attended by over 180 people from the government of Lao PDR at the national and subnational levels, AFD, WCS, teachers and students.

A Bold Step for Nature: Laos Moves Toward Sustainable Mining Reform

jmauer@wcs.org — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 04:02:00 GMT

WCS Lao PDR applauds the Lao Government for taking bold and timely action to safeguard the country's rivers, forests, and irreplaceable biodiversity. The issuance of Prime Minister's Order No. 06/PM, dated 7 March 2025, marks a major turning point in Laos' efforts to strengthen environmental governance and ensure that natural resource use benefits both people and nature. This landmark policy introduces transformative reforms to curb unsustainable mining practices, enforce environmental safeguards, and align the mining sector with Laos' conservation priorities and sustainable development goals. What's New? •⁠ ⁠Permanent nationwide ban on alluvial gold extraction-including gravel and sand suction used for gold recovery-long linked to riverbank erosion, water pollution, and aquatic habitat degradation. •⁠ ⁠Suspension of new metallic mineral project approvals until the end of the current government term. •⁠ ⁠Stronger inspection, monitoring, and legal enforcement to tackle illegal and environmentally harmful mining operations. •⁠ ⁠Mandatory ecological restoration of mining sites before land is returned to the state, ensuring degraded ecosystems are repaired. •⁠ ⁠Greater transparency and public participation in concession processes and environmental monitoring. Why it matters for conservation: This Order closes critical loopholes that have put forests, freshwater ecosystems, and wildlife habitats at risk. It represents a bold step toward: •⁠ ⁠Protecting biodiversity in ecologically sensitive and forested landscapes •⁠ ⁠Restoring degraded ecosystems and strengthening ecological resilience •⁠ ⁠Safeguarding essential ecosystem services for communities and wildlife •⁠ ⁠Enhancing accountability and rule of law in natural resource governance •⁠ ⁠Attracting responsible, conservation compatible investment WCS Lao PDR stands ready to support the Government of Lao PDR in turning this policy into action-through science-based guidance, technical expertise, and inclusive multi-stakeholder engagement. Together, we can generate momentum for a shift toward biodiversity-compatible mining in the forested landscapes of Laos, ensuring the country's natural wealth is preserved for generations to come. Full order in Lao Unofficial Translation by WCS

Lao PDR celebrates National and World Wildlife Day 2025

jmauer@wcs.org — Fri, 14 Mar 2025 04:24:00 GMT

National and World Wildlife Day was celebrated in Vientiane and presented the outcomes of the 78th meeting of the Standing Committee of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which took place in Geneva, Switzerland, last February. The event brought together the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the European Union (EU) Delegation to Lao PDR, the Wildlife Conservation Society and conservation partners, the Working Group 15.7 on Combating Wildlife Crime, the private sector, the National University of Laos and secondary schools from Vientiane. With over 1 million species estimated to be threatened with extinction globally and facing the intensifying triple planetary crisis (climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss), protecting wildlife and conserving ecosystems is more critical and urgent than ever. Lao PDR is recognized as a unique biodiversity hotspot and is home to some of the world’s biologically richest and most endangered terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and species. However, its exceptional biodiversity is declining due to climate change, illegal wildlife trade, hunting, and poaching coupled with high rates of deforestation causing fragmentation and loss of habitats. “The legal framework and national policies in place to regulate and protect the forestry sector in Laos are set to fulfill Lao PDR’s international commitments under Multilateral Environmental Agreements and national goal to restoring forest cover to 70% and conserving 70% of its total land area as forest areas, stated Dr Chanthakhone Boualaphanh, Vice Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, during her opening remarks. Today, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, on behalf of the Government, together with international conservation organizations, jointly organized the National and World Wildlife Day celebration. It is aimed to disseminate laws and regulations to entrepreneurs, business people, youth, local communities, and everyone in the society, so they understand the enforcement consequences of illegal hunting and wildlife trafficking and the importance of protecting endangered wildlife for a healthy ecosystem and socio-economic stability”, Dr Chanthakhone added. Speaking at the event, Mr Mark Gallagher, EU Ambassador to Lao PDR said: “As we gather today to celebrate Laos’ National Wildlife Day, it is important to reflect on our shared responsibility in protecting the country’s unique and irreplaceable natural heritage. Over the years, we have seen remarkable progress in Laos’ policy reforms for protected areas and wildlife conservation, with the adoption of the Protected Area Decree and its Roadmap, the Wildlife Law, the Aquatic Animals and Fisheries Law, and the CITES Decree. These frameworks equip Laos with stronger legal tools to manage its biodiversity and meet international commitments. However, while setting the right policy frameworks is essential, it is not enough. Effective conservation requires strong enforcement. In-situ conservation of forests and wetlands must remain a priority – not only for wildlife habitat protection, but also for the well-being of communities that depend on these ecosystems. Team Europe remains fully committed to supporting the Government of Laos and all local stakeholders in protecting and sustainably managing the country’s rich biodiversity for future generations”. During the meeting, the revised Decree (June 2024) on Management of International Trade in Endangered Species of Aquatic Animals, Wild Animals, and Wild Plants was presented, as well as the implementation and results of law enforcement to combat illegal wildlife trade and foster international cooperation with neighbouring countries. Through the various exhibition booths animated by the Department of Forestry, conservation partners and educational institutions, the event highlighted the conservation efforts and the contributions made to sustainability, wildlife, and biodiversity conservation in Lao PDR. National and World Wildlife Day is celebrated every year on March 3rd to highlight the urgent need for global attention and action toward addressing the declining numbers of endangered species and the shrinking of their natural habitat. The event was attended by over 300 people and was organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry with the support of the Ecosystem Conservation through Integrated Landscape Management in Laos (ECILL) project, co-funded by the European Union and the Agence Française de Développement and implemented by WCS Lao PDR.

Roadmap for operationalizing the new Protected Area policies in managing and financing National Protected Areas

jmauer@wcs.org — Thu, 20 Feb 2025 03:29:00 GMT

First meeting of the Implementation Committee on the National Protected Areas Roadmap (NPA Roadmap) to outline the implementation process and establish a shared understanding. Following the endorsement of the Roadmap for National Protected Areas Management and Sustainable Financing (NPA Roadmap) on August 8, 2024, the NPA Roadmap Implementation Committee held its kick-off meeting on February 18–19 in Luang Namtha province, home to the ASEAN Heritage’s Nam Ha NPA. Chaired by Mr. Kikeo Singnavong, Vice Minister of Agriculture and Forestry and lead authority of the NPA Roadmap, the meeting brought together more than 70 key stakeholders, including protected area managers from all Laos’ 26 NPAs and conservation partners. Also in attendance were Ms. Cécile Leroy, representing the EU Delegation to Lao PDR to Lao PDR—one of the financiers of the roadmap’s development—and Ms. Manoly Sisavanh, Deputy Director of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), which provides technical assistance under the ‘Ecosystem Conservation through Integrated Landscape Management in Lao PDR’ (ECILL) project’. The NPA Roadmap is structured as a comprehensive three-year program, requiring US$3.5 million for collective implementation. It outlines the transition process into a new policy environment aimed at strengthening Laos’ NPA system to address the following priority policy goals: (1) Diversifying and empowering actors to protect and develop Laos’ forests. This includes supporting ‘Forest Development Villages’ with improved clarity about zones and land tenure. (2) Ensuring biodiversity no-net-loss when using forests such as applying concrete methods (i.e. Mitigation Hierarchy) to work with forest users to ensure their activities cause no net-loss of biodiversity and ecosystem value. (3) Enabling conservation-compatible businesses and improving compliance. This aims at proactively improving the investment environment for enterprises that support forest activities, and to ensure businesses are compliant with regulations and agreed plans effectively. (4) Improving sustainable financing for National Protected Areas. This entails pursuing multiple complementary strategies to increase access and stability to funds and financing mechanisms. The kick-off meeting of the NPA Roadmap Implementation Committee aims to establish a shared understanding among the Board, Advisors, Secretariat members, as well as potential Implementing Partners. As the Chair, Mr. Kikeo Singnavong, Vice Minister of Agriculture and Forestry opened with “Today’s meeting is very important for the various parties that will jointly implement this plan to discuss and understand what the four outcomes are and how each party will participate. This is key to ensure that the implementation of this management plan is highly efficient and effective and to aim for a systematic, strong, and unified management, conservation, development and implementation, including active cooperation from all relevant parties and local communities.” During the meeting, the Protected Areas Decree (2023) and NPA Roadmap were presented, with a focus on the roadmap’s implementation plan to ensure a clear understanding among committee members, practitioners and stakeholders. Additionally, the NPA Roadmap Annual Workplan and Budget for 2025 were discussed in detail. The second day centered on the application of the Mitigation Hierarchy, identifying investment projects impacting NPAs or businesses operating within NPAs. Cecile Leroy, of the EU Delegation to Lao PDR provided opening remarks congratulating this achievement, “demonstrating its commitment to protect its natural assets, the EU would like to commend the government's move to protect the natural heritage with adopting bold new legislation during the few last years, especially with the adoption of the National Protected Area Decree back in June 2023, and subsequently by developing the roadmap for its implementation and financing that was adopted in August 2024, and more recently, in December, a committee was established to overview the implementation of the roadmap. So I'm very happy to see all of you this morning representing the local national protected area because your work in implementing this roadmap is really at the core of the success of Laos. Today is a great opportunity for taking stock of the recent policy development and for having a meaningful exchange on how to put this in motion.” The NPA Roadmap will enhance the Government of Lao PDR’s ownership in implementing its policies and vision in collaboration with partners and stakeholders. It serves as a strategic guide for the Protected Areas community to operationalize the PA policy agenda. Additionally, the roadmap provides a framework to align partner and stakeholder activities, ensuring consistency and synergy with national policy goals. The Government of Lao PDR therefore urges all partners and stakeholders to align their initiatives with the roadmap’s implementation. The Roadmap was developed with the technical support of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Lao PDR Program and financially supported by the European Union (EU) and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) under the ‘Ecosystem Conservation through Integrated Landscape management in Lao PDR’ (ECILL) project.

The Wildlife Conservation Society held its Steering Committee Meeting to review the implementation of the Ecosystem Conservation through Integrated Landscape Management in Lao PDR (ECILL)

jmauer@wcs.org — Fri, 22 Nov 2024 04:12:00 GMT

The Wildlife Conservation Society Lao PDR hosted the ‘Ecosystem Conservation through Integrated Landscape Management in Lao PDR’ (ECILL) project Steering Committee meeting co-chaired by Dr. Thoumthone Vongvisouk, Deputy Director General of the Department of Forestry, Ms. Veerle Smet, Head of Cooperation at the European Union Delegation to Lao PDR, Mr. François-Xavier Duporge, Country Director of the Agence Française de Développement in Lao PDR and Dr. Santi Xaypanya, WCS Laos Country Director. The meeting aimed to update and review the project implementation progress and plans in the three landscapes: the Nam Et–Phou Louey National Park, Phou Sithone Endangered Species Conservation Area, and Nam Kading National Protected Area in Bolikhamxay province, and the Xe Champhone Ramsar Wetlands Complex in Savannakhet province. “I would like to thank the EU and AFD donors for their continued support in biodiversity protection in Lao PDR. I also take this opportunity to congratulate WCS and colleagues for successfully implementing the activities that will be pursued until the end of the project. We have made a lot of progress in the implementation of the ECILL project, which has provided major support to the Government of Lao PDR, including new policies and regulations”, expressed Dr. Thoumthone Vongvisouk, Deputy Director General of the Department of Forestry, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. “The ECILL Project is part of a broader EU program ‘Landscapes for Our Future’ which supports 22 projects across 19 countries with solutions to context-specific land-use challenges around food and nutrition security, climate change, and land/forest biodiversity. Great achievements have been made in Lao PDR, congratulations to the Government and WCS for the successful outcomes including policy achievements such as the revision of the CITES Decree, said Ms. Veerle Smet, Head of Cooperation of the EU Delegation to Lao PDR. Engagement with the private sector, particularly in the hydropower, agriculture and linear infrastructure sectors, is an important component to ensure that potential environmental impacts are effectively managed and mitigated. However, challenges remain to achieve No-Net-Loss for biodiversity through the mitigation hierarchy, a key approach to harmonizing conservation and development. Speaking at the meeting, Mr. François-Xavier Duporge, Country Director of the AFD in Lao PDR underlined the good results in implementing the activities, including advanced empowerment of local communities and strengthening of national environmental policies. “The implementation of the Protected Areas Roadmap in Year 5 will be key to ensuring sustainable management, governance, and financing of the Protected Areas. Still, some challenges remain, such as engagement with the private sector and deforestation”, Mr. François -Xavier added. After four years of implementation, the ECILL project was scheduled to end in March 2024. A 15-month extension until May 2025 was approved last year by donors to continue supporting ongoing efforts in biodiversity protection in the three priority landscapes and fulfill the project commitments to the Lao government, local communities, and donors. Launched in March 2020, the ECILL project, worth a total of €6.8 million, has been co-funded by the European Union and the Agence Française de Développement and implemented by WCS Lao PDR in joint efforts with the Lao government and local communities to protect the Lao PDR’s unique biodiversity and sustainable use of natural resources. The ECILL Steering Committee meeting took place on November 22nd 2024 in Vientiane and brought together 20 representatives from the Department of Forestry of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Bolikhamxay and Savannakhet Provincial Agriculture and Forestry Office, the Department of Water Resources of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Protected Area Management Sections in Houaphan and Bolikhamxay, the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the European Union Delegation (EU) and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS).

Building capacity and fostering collaborative approaches across Southeast Asia to tackle threats to global health security

jmauer@wcs.org — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 08:32:00 GMT

The Kick-Off Leadership Workshop of the Pandemic Prevention Leadership Initiative (PPLI) Fellowship program took place in Bangkok, Thailand to introduce an immersive learning experience focused on key topics relevant to One Health and the prevention and mitigation of high consequence pathogen spillover in live animal markets. The six-day workshop focusing on providing scenario-driven and hands-on learning, gathered for the first time the 19 Fellows from the ASEAN countries, PPLI teams including the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), WCS Laos, WCS Vietnam, WCS Indonesia, EpiEcos, and the University of California – Davis. The Pandemic Prevention Leadership Initiative (PPLI) is designed to strengthen collaborative approaches in Southeast Asia to address threats to global health security and biodiversity conservation posed by the unregulated trade in wildlife species. The PPLI delivers specialized in-person and remote training to Fellows to strengthen working knowledge and skills in the following key areas: Live animal trade chains – source to markets/consumers Field Biorisk Management: Biosafety and Biosecurity Bio-surveillance Risk Assessment, Risk Mitigation, and Risk Modelings Outbreak Detection and Response During the workshop, fellows explored the fundamentals of risk assessment, management, modeling, and communication; surveillance; and outbreak response in the context of wildlife trade and live animal markets in Southeast Asia. WCS Lao PDR Program presented the Laos Wildlife Health Surveillance’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) aimed at establishing a functional surveillance network in response to disease events in wildlife through a One Health approach. As part of the workshop’s program, participants made field trips to Klong Toey Wet Market, Khao Yai National Park, and Chatuchak Market (Live Animal/Wildlife Species) to enhance the experience-based learning. “I think it is very important for WCS as a global wildlife conservation organization to engage with future leaders in regions of the world where we are working towards wildlife conservation goals and focused on implementing a One Health approach. We’ve had the opportunity through this Initiative to meet and network with people from multiple fields related to One Health coming from countries across Southeast Asia. t’s the kind of network that we would not be able to be a part of or be a part of developing without a fellowship program like this one.”, said Amanda Fine, Director of One Health at WCS . The PPLI promotes capacity strengthening in early to mid-career professionals by incorporating the Pandemic Prevention Fellows Program, which utilizes a cohort approach and case-based training to directly support the development of a multidisciplinary network of leaders across the Southeast Asia region to address the ever-evolving and expanding global health and security threats related to zoonotic spillover of high-consequence pathogens and associated practices impacting wildlife populations. This initiative spread over 15 months and involving 10 countries, is a collaborative effort between the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), the University of California-Davis, and EpiEcos, funded by the US Department of State’s Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation.

High-Level Dialogue on Biodiversity Conservation and Impact Mitigation Policies Held with Laos' National Assembly to Support Sustainable Development

jmauer@wcs.org — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 02:07:00 GMT

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, in cooperation with the Wildlife Conservation Society, presented the biodiversity conservation status and mitigation policies for Lao PDR’s forests and wildlife, as well as Multilateral Environmental Agreements, to National Assembly Members. This high-level meeting was chaired by H.E. Mme. Pingkham Lasasimma, President of the Economic, Technology, and Environment Committee of the National Assembly of Lao PDR and followed by her Vice President H.E. Mr. Maniso Xamounty and Dr Santi Saypanya, Country Director of WCS Lao PDR Program The meeting took place at the National Assembly of Lao PDR in Vientiane, , with the aim of enhancing Parliament members’ understanding of Laos’ forests and wildlife and on mitigation measures on biodiversity impacts caused by development or investment projects. Lao PDR is one of the most biodiverse countries in Southeast Asia, well-known for its rich biodiversity and endemic wildlife species. With 26 National Protected Areas and seven declared as ‘National Parks’, a category of higher protection, Lao PDR faces numerous challenges in the sustainable management of biodiversity and natural resource use. Main threats to conservation include climate change, illegal wildlife trade, hunting, and poaching coupled with high rates of deforestation, causing fragmentation and loss of habitats. Mme. Pingkham Lasasimma, remarked: "In recent years, Lao PDR has experienced rapid economic growth marked by increased investments in large infrastructure projects such as railways, roads and mining industries, alongside the expansion of natural resources use in areas such as hydropower, agriculture and forestry. These developments have impacted land use and forest cover, converting significant portions of forested land. Recognizing the value of these natural resources, Lao PDR has committed to a path of sustainable development through its Green Growth Strategy. We have enacted policies and laws—including the National Green Growth Strategy, Land Law, Forest Law, Wildlife Law, Aquatic Animal and Fishery Law, and a robust framework for Environmental Impact Assessment and Strategic Environmental Assessment. These policies serve as essential tools to protect our natural resources, mitigate investment impacts, conserve biodiversity, and safeguard ecosystem services for future generations." The meeting focused on three key objectives: Provide an in-depth overview of Lao PDR’s forest systems, and international conservation frameworks, including the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and its significance for Lao PDR, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Ramsar Convention, and the Lao PDR Wildlife List. Enhance Awareness and Understanding on Integrated Landscape Management, a comprehensive framework that addresses conservation and sustainable land use by considering the interconnectedness of ecosystems, communities, and economic needs within protected area and wetland landscapes aiming at achieving sustainable development goals. Enhance environmental assessments and impact mitigation in investment and development projects, emphasizing the adoption of the ‘mitigation hierarchy’ to prevent and mitigate adverse impacts on biodiversity, aiming to engage parliamentary members in recognizing the necessity of incorporating environmental considerations into project planning and implementation, ensuring that sustainable development aligns with our national and international conservation commitments. Through this dialogue, we seek to foster responsible investment practices that contribute to the protection of our natural heritage while promoting economic growth. Ms. Manoly Sisavanh, Deputy Country Director of the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Lao PDR Program, presented the Mitigation Hierarchy—a key approach to harmonizing conservation and development. “Our discussion emphasized both the value of this approach and the challenges Laos faces, such as building technical capacity, enhancing coordination among government bodies, and strengthening data access to support informed decision-making," she noted. "It was inspiring to see the interest and thoughtful engagement from National Assembly members, who hold the vital responsibility of overseeing the implementation of laws, socio-economic plans, and national projects. Their commitment to sustainable development is essential to ensuring that Laos’ growth aligns with environmental protection and social equity. Together, we can work toward a future where development not only preserves but also supports the rich biodiversity of our country, benefitting all its people sustainably.” The meeting was an opportunity for participants to share knowledge, experience, and best practices in biodiversity conservation in line with Lao PDR’s sustainable economic development for the coming years. The high-level meeting, supported by WCS Lao PDR and the ‘Ecosystem Conservation through Integrated Landscape management in Lao PDR (ECILL) project’ financed by the Agence Française de Développement and the European Union, was attended by more than 60 people from the National Assembly, the National Assembly’s Economic, Environment, and Technology Committee the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and the Wildlife Conservation Society.

The Lao Government disseminates the Protected Areas policies nationwide to safeguard biodiversity and secure communities’ livelihoods

jmauer@wcs.org — Mon, 14 Oct 2024 07:08:00 GMT

The Government of Lao PDR disseminated the new policies related to the Protected Areas (PA) Decree in the central, northern, and southern regions to ensure its successful implementation across the country. The dissemination workshops took place in Bolikhamxay, Oudomxay and Champassak provinces in presence of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the Ministry of Justice, the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Wildlife Conservation Society, National Parks and Protected Area Management Offices, and the ecotourism private sector. Lao PDR is covered by 26 National Protected Areas (NPAs), among these NPAs, seven of them were declared were declared ‘National Parks’, a category of higher protection such as the Nam Et-Phou Louey National Park. These NPAs are home to a rich biodiversity and several endemic and threatened species. Lao PDR’s biodiversity is currently under threat due to climate change, illegal wildlife trade, hunting, and poaching coupled with high rates of deforestation causing fragmentation and loss of habitats. Adopted in June 2023, the new PA decree raises the standard, priority, and profile of Protected Areas to align with national goals and meet international standards. Communities living in surrounding villages will be engaged in the co-management of the PAs through the ‘Forest Development Village’ approach with the aim to balance benefits between people and nature. “This workshop is an important milestone for the implementation of these key legislations. The PA legal framework and policies to regulate and protect the forestry sector are set to fulfil Lao PDR’s international commitments under Multilateral Environmental Agreements.”, said Mr. Somboune Vongphachan, Deputy Director General of Department of Legislation, Ministry of Justice. Bringing together over 90 practitioners from 6 provinces in the Central region, 80 stakeholders from 4 provinces in the South region, and 100 practitioners from 8 provinces in the North region. The Protected Areas Policy Dissemination Workshops aimed to present the new PA policies and the Roadmap for National Protected Areas Management and Sustainable Financing and the NPA’s access to state funds to ensure a clear understanding and successful implementation. Speaking at the dissemination workshop for the central region, Mrs. Cécile Leroy, Programme Manager of the European Union Delegation to Lao PDR outlined “Lao is home to the world’s most charming rainforests and counts many unique landscapes including national parks and protected areas, recognized as such for their unique ecosystems and biodiversity. The national treasure must be protected, and the protection starts with awareness, and dissemination of policy to ensure appropriate implementation and law enforcement.”. The PA Roadmap will facilitate collaborative partnerships to sustainably finance the management of protected areas across Lao PDR. It will be a tool to help align the partners and stakeholders’ activities for consistency and synergy with policy goals. “WCS worked hand in hand with the Lao government, protected area practitioners, and key stakeholders to develop and disseminate this important national legislation. This decree is a big bold step for biodiversity protection in Lao PDR ensuring better management and governance of the biodiversity-rich zones in Laos. We look forward to continuing to work closely with the Lao government and all PA stakeholders to ensure its successful implementation following the rule of law for the benefits of nature and people of Lao PDR”, said Mrs. Manoly Sisavanh, Deputy Country Director of WCS Lao PDR. The three PA policies dissemination workshops were attended by more than 270 people from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, National Parks and Protected Area Management Offices, relevant sectoral provincial and district offices, forest development village representatives, development partners, and the private sector. The PA Decree and NPA Roadmap were developed with the technical support of the Wildlife Conservation Society within the framework of the ‘Ecosystem Conservation through Integrated Landscape management in Lao PDR (ECILL) project’, financed by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the European Union (EU).

From Policy to Practice: Turning Protected Area Policies into Reality

jmauer@wcs.org — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 08:47:00 GMT

The Government of Lao PDR adopted the new Decree on Protected Areas (PAs) on June 20th 2023, marking a major milestone for biodiversity protection in Lao PDR. Turning Protected Area Policies into reality requires dissemination and clear understanding by practitioners. Lao PDR’s biodiversity is currently under threat due to climate change, illegal wildlife trade, hunting and poaching coupled with high rates of deforestation causing fragmentation and loss of habitats. The legal framework and policies to regulate and protect the forestry sector in Laos are set to fulfil Lao PDR’s international commitments under Multilateral Environmental Agreements. The Protected Areas Decree Dissemination Workshop for the northern region was co-chaired by Director of Oudomxay Provincial Agriculture and Forestry Office, Phimmasene Khounsilivong, Deputy Director General of Department of Legislation, Ministry of Justice, Somboune Vongphachan, and Deputy Director of Protected Areas Management Division, Department of Forestry, Bounpone Phouttha-Amath. Bringing together over 70 practitioners from 8 provinces in the Northen region from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry of National Resources and Environmental, the Department of Forestry, the National Park, and Protected Area Management Unit. The DDG Somboune Vongphachan, stressed “this workshop is is an important milestone for the implementation of this key legislation.” After three years in the making, this decree raises the standard, priority, and profile of PAs to align with national goals and meet international standards. Communities living in surrounding villages will be engaged in the co-management of the PAs through the ‘Forest Development Village’ approach with the aim to balance benefits between people and nature. Furthermore, the updated decree clarifies eligible PA use categories - for public, family, customary and business benefits - which entail the rights and responsibilities of users. This decree looks also carefully into balancing conservation with development aiming at applying the ‘Mitigation Hierarchy’ for business use to avoid or mitigate negative investment impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem services to achieve no net loss, or net gain. The decree will facilitate partnerships to sustainably finance the management of protected areas in Lao PDR. “WCS worked hand in hand with the Lao government, protected area practitioners and key stakeholders to develop and disseminate this important national legislation. This decree is a big bold step for biodiversity protection in Lao PDR ensuring better management and governance of the biodiversity-rich zones in Laos. We are very proud to have been able to contribute to it within the framework of the AFD and EU financed ECILL project. We look forward to continuing to work closely with the Lao government and all PA stakeholders to ensure its successful implementation following the rule of law for the benefits of nature and people of Lao PDR”, said Mrs. Manoly Sisavanh, Deputy Country Director of WCS Lao PDR.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry endorses the Roadmap for National Protected Areas Management and Sustainable Financing to ensure its successful implementation across Lao PDR

jmauer@wcs.org — Fri, 16 Aug 2024 01:43:00 GMT

Following the adoption of the new Decree on Protected Areas (PA) in June 2023 by the Government of Lao PDR, the Roadmap for National Protected Areas Management and Sustainable Financing has been endorsed by the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Assoc. Prof. Linkham Douangsavanh on August 8th 2024. The Roadmap serves as the reference guide for all PA stakeholders including the Lao Government, development partners, private sector, NGOs/CSOs, academia and local communities who will play a crucial role in the implementation of the Decree. Lao PDR is covered by 26 National Protected Areas (NPAs), among these NPAs, six of them were declared ‘National Parks’, a category of higher protection such as the Nam Et-Phou Louey National Park. These NPAs are home to a rich biodiversity and several endemic and threatened species. The country’s biodiversity is currently under threat due to climate change, illegal wildlife trade, unsustainable hunting and poaching coupled with high rates of deforestation causing fragmentation and loss of habitats. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Somvang Phimmavong Director General of Department of Forestry said “The Roadmap is designed as a comprehensive three-year program that maps how the transition process into the new policy environment will be orchestrated for NPAs. The Roadmap architecture is defined by a ‘results framework’ with an objective, a series of intended outcomes, activities, and an estimated budget.” The NPA Roadmap was developed to respond to the following priority policy goals, the first of which is diversifying and empowering actors to protect and develop our forests. This includes supporting ‘Forest Development Villages’ with improved clarity about zones and land tenure. The second proprity is to ensure biodiversity no- net-loss when using forests, such as applying concrete methods for forest users to ensure their activities cause no net-loss of biodiversity and ecosystem value. The third priority is to enable conservation-compatible businesses and improving compliance. This aims at proactively improving the investment environment for enterprises that support forest activities, and to effectively ensure businesses are compliant with regulations and agreed plans. The fourth goal is to improve sustainable financing for National Protected Areas. This entails pursuing multiple complementary strategies to increase access and stability to funds and financing mechanisms. EU Ambassador Ina Marčiulionytė commented: “The EU is proud to have supported the development of this roadmap. We believe that it will help identify stable sources of funding to enable a long-lasting protection scheme of the natural assets of Laos. This is a meaningful deliverable in the context of the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework”. The Roadmap will strengthen the Government of Lao PDR in exercising its ownership and pursuit of its policies and vision to its partners and stakeholders. The Roadmap will be a guiding map for the Department of Forestry and the PA Division to keep track of the policy agenda. It will be a tool to help align the partners and stakeholders’ activities for consistency and synergy with policy goals. Therefore, the Government of Lao PDR urges all partners and stakeholders to use and anchor their activities to the Roadmap. “WCS worked hand in hand with the Lao government, protected area practitioners and key stakeholders to develop this NPA Roadmap. We are very much looking forward to its implementation for better management and governance of the biodiversity-rich zones across Laos”, said Mrs. Manoly Sisavanh, Deputy Country Director of WCS Lao PDR. The Roadmap was developed with the technical support of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Lao PDR Program and financially supported by the European Union (EU) and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) under the ‘Ecosystem Conservation through Integrated Landscape management in Lao PDR’ (ECILL) project.

Laos launches Standard Operating Procedures for wildlife health

jmauer@wcs.org — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 03:00:00 GMT

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry disseminated the Standard Operating Procedure for Wildlife Health Surveillance in Lao PDR to prevent and reduce disease risks to human, animal and environmental health Relevant government sectors from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Wildlife Conservation Society launched the Wildlife Health Surveillance Standard Operating Procedure during a dissemination meeting in Vientiane to establish a functional surveillance network in response to disease events in wildlife through a One Health approach. Maintaining and monitoring wildlife health is important for conservation, ecosystem integrity, sustainable development, and biosafety and biosecurity. There is a global understanding that the health of human beings, animals, and the environment are intrinsically connected and are profoundly impacted by human activities. Outbreaks of diseases originating in wildlife such as Ebola, SARS, and COVID-19 have served as devastating reminders that to protect human health, we must monitor and reduce the risk of emerging zoonoses. Other diseases shared between livestock and wildlife, such as African Swine Fever, can have catastrophic consequences for both agricultural livelihoods and for vulnerable wild species. It is, therefore, essential for countries to promptly detect and manage issues related to wildlife health, and to build an early warning system to investigate and respond to wildlife morbidity/mortality events which may have widespread health implications for people and/or their domestic animals, wildlife populations themselves, and the environment. The Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Wildlife Health Surveillance in Lao PDR has been designed to be the standard technical document for the implementation of wildlife health surveillance in the country. This SOP is to be applied when wildlife is found sick or dead of unknown causes in natural habitats, wildlife farms, zoos, wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centers, circuses, along the trade chain, in communities, or otherwise. The purpose is to provide technical guidance to relevant stakeholders, including government, the private sector, and non-governmental organizations working in wildlife conservation, in the surveillance, investigation, and control of, and response to, wildlife morbidity and mortality events and disease outbreaks with aims to reduce disease risks to human, animal, and environmental health and the associated impacts on the economy and livelihoods. Speaking at the meeting, Dr. Souphavanh Keovilay, Deputy Director General of the Department of Livestock and Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry said “the Standard Operating Procedure forwildlife health surveillance in Lao PDR is critical to ensure early detection of and response to disease events in wildlife. I would like to thank the various stakeholders for their involvement and input to the development of this SOP to ensure that it meets the needs of all parties involved.” The SOP defines the responsibilities of each relevant agency and outlines the procedures to follow when detecting incidents of unusual wildlife morbidity and/or mortality and wildlife disease outbreaks. This includes procedures for data collection, reporting lines, sampling and carcass collection, and diagnostics to determine the cause of illness or death, as well as basic guidelines on wildlife disease outbreak management, cooperation with relevant parties, and wildlife health data management procedures. “I would like to congratulate the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in developing and adopting this SOP into national policy, the first of its kind in Lao PDR, which will have a significant impact on the country in responding to disease outbreaks in wildlife and preventing further transmission to humans, livestock, and wildlife”, expressed Dr. Bounheuang Kounnavong, Public Health Specialist, U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA).“I wish a successful implementation and dissemination of this SOP in all 18 provinces across the country”, he added. As part of the dissemination meeting, an overview and content of the SOP was presented by Dr Watthana Theppagna, Deputy Director of the National Animal Health Laboratory Center, Department of Livestock and Fisheries, and followed by questions and inputs from participants to effectively implement the SOP on the ground. Roles and Responsibilities of the National Wildlife Health Surveillance Steering Committee were also presented with a view to cooperate with relevant sectors to monitor and evaluate the implementation of this SOP and to establish central level governance. Lastly, WCS Lao PDR Program presented upcoming projects and future direction in the framework of the implementation of the National Wildlife Health Surveillance. Dr. Santi Saypanya, Country Director of WCS Lao PDR Program added “This SOP led by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry with the support of the Wildlife Conservation Society Lao PDR Program and in extensive consultation with experts and technicians at both central and local levels, will allow to strengthen the capacity of both government stakeholders and communities in addressing emerging health threats through inter-sectoral collaborations in Lao PDR”. The implementation of this SOP will allow wildlife health surveillance in Lao PDR to be in line with international standards and guidelines of the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH). The successful development of the SOP was made possible thanks to the support from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency’s Biological Threat Reduction Program (BTRP) under the United States Department of Defense. The dissemination workshop, held at the Lao Plaza Hotel, was attended by over 80 people from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (Department of Livestock and Fisheries, Department of Forestry, Department of Forestry Inspection), the Ministry of Health (Department of Communicable Disease Control), The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (Department of Environment), Provincial Agriculture and Forestry Offices of 18 Lao provinces, the Wildlife Conservation Society, Development Partners, international organizations and the National University of Laos and funded by the U.S Department of State.

WCS partners with Bolikhamxay Provincial Agriculture and Forestry Office to create a new National Park and safeguard high biodiversity areas

jmauer@wcs.org — Thu, 06 Jun 2024 09:19:00 GMT

WCS is supporting the Protected Area Management Section of Bolikhamxay Province, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, in the creation of a new National Park, by combining two protected areas and two protection forests: Phou Sithone Endangered Species Conservation Area and Phou Chomvoy Provincial Protected Area and the Nam Chat Nam Pan Protection Forest which connects the two protected areas as well as the Nam Chouane Nam Xang Protection Forest, which is also the Biodiversity Offset Site to the Nam Ngiep 1 Power Project. These areas, situated in Central Laos along the border with Vietnam and covering an area of about 1,800 km2, will create a biodiversity corridor along the Annamite Mountains to connect Nakai Nam Theun and Hin Nam No National Parks with the Pù Mát National Park in Vietnam, to allow wildlife to move undisturbed. The establishment of this National Park will enhance the preservation of the rich biodiversity and natural resources covering the Northern Annamite Mountain Range, which has been declared as one of the 200 most important ecoregions in the world, having amongst the highest concentrations of endemic species of any continental area in the world. The area is also well-known for its thriving Gibbon populations and is home to the elusive Saola, also called Spindlehorn or Asian Unicorn, one of the world’s rarest large mammals, a forest-dwelling bovine and native to the Annamite Mountain Range. The process for the creation of a National Park in Lao PDR requires not only information about biodiversity and the state of the forest, but also informs about the socio-economic status of the communities living in the villages and along the proposed area. Protected Areas support the surrounding local communities with Non-Timber Forest Products and water for agriculture and household consumption as well as regular water flow to the nearby hydropower plants. These are called Forest Ecosystem Services, which are vital for the villages living in and around protected areas and even further away. The first of a series of biodiversity assessments in Nam Chat Nam Pan revealed the uniqueness of the area, with ecosystems not seen in the other parts of the Annamite Mountains. More assessments are following to provide more required information for the declaration of the entire area as a National Park. This biodiversity program has received financial assistance from the Rainforest Trust working to protect the most threatened tropical forests, saving endangered wildlife through partnerships and community engagement.

Conservationists from Thai Conservation study tour to restore the critically endangered Siamese crocodile

jmauer@wcs.org — Mon, 29 Apr 2024 04:35:00 GMT

Researchers and conservationists from Thailand visit the Xe Champhone Wetlands in Savannakhet Province, Lao PDR, as part of a conservation study tour to restore the critically endangered Siamese crocodile A delegation from Thailand consisting of researchers and staff affiliated with the Department of National Parks (DNP), Wildlife and Plant Conservation and faculty members from Kasetsart University, as well as staff from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Thailand, visited Savannakhet province, Lao PDR, to conduct a study tour of the WCS implemented Siamese crocodile conservation project in the Xe Champhone wetlands. Thailand is looking to bolster wild populations of Siamese crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis), as although the species still occurs in several different protected areas, the individuals persist in such isolation that there has been no recent successful breeding in the wild. WCS Lao PDR advised Thai National Park authorities on how they can increase the population of Siamese crocodiles within their area. In the Xe Champhone wetlands, WCS Lao PDR has been collaborating with government and local communities to strengthen the population of Siamese crocodiles through a head-starting program, incubating egg clutches and rearing hatchlings for about two years until they are ready for release back into the wild. This gives the young crocodiles a greatly improved chance of survival, a head-start through the most dangerous period of their lives. The program has reduced mortality among the young crocodiles from 90-95% to less than 5%, thereby boosting population recovery trajectories. Dr. Steven G. Platt, WCS’ Conservation Herpetologist for Southeast Asia, guided the group to the Tansoum village head-starting facility on the first day of the study tour, with the Tansoum community hosting the visiting group and explaining how they take care of the hatchlings. The second day was devoted to information sharing through presentations given by Dr. Platt on the head-starting work that has been done under the Xe Champhone project and a presentation given by Mr. Phaksouliya Phommatheth, WCS’s Xe Champhone Project Coordinator, on the overall progress of the project. The visitors from Thailand also introduced their crocodile conservation work including the DNP’s Siamese Crocodile Reintroduction Project in Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary presented by Ms. Chananrat Nuankaew from the Wildlife Research Division and Mr. Weerapong Korawat, head of Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary; Petchburi River Survey in Kaeng Krachan National Park presented by Mr. Yann Ounsing, Deputy of Kaeng Krachan National Park. Dr. Manoon Pliosungnoen, Program Manager for WCS Thailand said “Although it was a relatively short visit, we learned a lot from the discussion with the community leaders in Tansoum village and from the meeting with PAFO and WCS Laos. There might still be some challenges for the Thai government to promote the recovery of the species at the site near the villages owing to negative attitudes toward crocodiles. However, this is not the issue at the current DNP’s priority site, i.e., Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary. We have learned that improving people’s attitudes to conserve the species may be possible through improving awareness and collaboration within and among communities like this remarkable community-led conservation project in Xe Champhone.” Mr. Phaksouliya Phommatheth said “we are proud to have hosted a recent WCS team from Cambodia and now this official team from Thailand coming to learn from our project, based on our success in head-starting this species together with local communities. We thank the support received from our donors and the government of Lao PDR, to have enabled this success. In the future, we hope to continue building our regional collaboration on saving Siamese Crocodiles.” This conservation program is part of the Ecosystem Conservation through Integrated Landscape Management in Lao PDR (ECILL) project, co-funded by the European Union and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and implemented by WCS Lao PDR in partnership with the Government of Lao PDR.

Government stakeholders and the Wildlife Conservation Society released Siamese Crocodiles back into the wild, aiming to restore this critically endangered species in the Xe Champhone wetlands

jmauer@wcs.org — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 01:42:00 GMT

37 Siamese crocodiles were released back into their natural habitat in the Xe Champhone Wetlands, Savannakhet province, as part of a ceremony in presence of the Vice Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Mr. Chanthanet Boualapha, the Vice-Governor of Savannakhet Province, Mr. Senesak Soulysak, the Deputy Governor of Songkhone District, Monks, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and students. With less than 1000 Siamese Crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis) remaining in the wild, this species is ranked as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The Xe Champhone Wetland located in Champhone District, Savannakhet Province represents the largest of Lao PDR’s two Ramsar sites (Wetland of International Importance) and is home to an abundance of aquatic biodiversity, as well as one of the world’s last remaining populations of the critically endangered Siamese crocodile, endangered turtle species, and wetland birds. Crocodiles are revered by local communities in Laos who believe that they act as guardians to the water bodies they inhabit and the spirits of lakes and ponds. While crocodiles are not hunted, they remain under threat due to entanglement in fishing nets, the clearance of wetlands and seasonal draining of habitat for expanding dry-season rice cultivation. The Siamese crocodile is not considered to be an aggressive species and is not a threat to humans. Communities that reside close to the species’ habitat continue fishing and farming in the Xe Champhone wetlands as crocodiles hold a spiritual significance and bring good luck to them. Mr. Chanthanet Boualapha, Vice Minister of Natural Resources and Environment stressed that the government is determined to pursue its efforts with conservation partners and local communities to protect endangered species and critical habitats in Savannakhet province and throughout the country. “I would like to congratulate and extend my sincere gratitude to the donors including the European Union and the Agence Francaise de Developpement for their continued assistance and financial support in the field of conservation”, Mr Chanthanet added. A dedicated conservation program for the Siamese Crocodile in close collaboration with the local communities and government is in place in the four target districts (Xonnabouly, Champhone, Songkhone, and Xaibouly) of Savannakhet Province aiming to restore a viable population of this species. Since 2019, during the spawning season between the end of May and July of every year, WCS has been locating and counting Siamese crocodile nests in hard-to-access areas. Nests and crocodile surveys have become more efficient since the recent use of drone technology. The eggs are collected and transported to the village administration office for incubation at ambient temperature for about two months. Once hatched, the baby crocodiles will be raised for about 32 months – at which time they will exceed 1 meter in length – and then released back into the wetlands. 124 small crocodiles are currently being nursed by the crocodile conservation team at the village level. Since the start of the program, a total of 115 crocodiles have been successfully released back into the Xe Champhone wetlands. 6 to 8 nests are being found each year, and based on these nest counts, an estimated population of 200-250 Siamese Crocodiles inhabit the Xe Champhone Wetlands. This conservation program is part of the ‘Ecosystem Conservation through Integrated Landscape Management in Lao PDR’ (ECILL) project funded by the European Union and the Agence Française de Développement and implemented by WCS. The program in the Xe Champhone Wetlands also supports local communities to assess, develop and promote livelihoods that also benefit biodiversity conservation. Dr. Santi Saypanya, Country Director of WCS Lao PDR Program added “By working together, the program has allowed to strengthen the capacity of both government stakeholders and communities in the conservation of critical native species of the Xe Champhone wetlands. This crocodile release event is the successful outcome of several years of partnership with all stakeholders to balance the sustainable livelihoods of communities with the goals of wildlife protection”. Through short plays and dance performances, this event was an opportunity to raise awareness and remind about the importance of crocodile and wildlife conservation among students living in the area. The Crocodile release event was attended by over 200 people from the government of Lao PDR at the national and subnational levels, WCS, teachers and students.

Lao PDR celebrates World Wildlife Day 2024

jmauer@wcs.org — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 02:02:00 GMT

World Wildlife Day was celebrated this year under the theme ‘Connecting People and Planet: Exploring Digital Innovation in Wildlife Conservation’ and brought together the Department of Forestry from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the European Union Delegation to Lao PDR, the Embassy of France to Lao PDR, Wildlife Conservation Society and conservation partners, the Working Group 15.7 on Combating Wildlife Crime and students at the National University of Laos in Vientiane. People around the world rely on wildlife and biodiversity-based resources to meet their needs - from food, to fuel, medicines, housing, and clothing. Nearly half of the world’s population is directly dependent on natural resources for their livelihoods, with 70% of the world’s poor living in rural areas and depending directly on biodiversity for their survival and well-being. To enjoy the benefits and the beauty that nature brings to humans and the planet, people have been working together to ensure ecosystems are able to thrive and plant and animal species are able to exist for generations to come. Lao PDR is recognized as a unique biodiversity hotspot and is home to some of the world’s biologically richest and most endangered terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and species. However, its exceptional biodiversity is declining due to climate change, illegal wildlife trade, hunting, and poaching coupled with high rates of deforestation causing fragmentation and loss of habitats. "As you may be aware that Lao PDR is a natural resource-rich country, both on land and in water. There are more than 1000 species of wild animals, especially the rare and endangered wild animals, such as Saola, Asian rock rats, Asian elephants, tigers, Eld’s deers, Irrawaddy Dolphin and other species. These wild animals are important for preserving the intactness of forest, the balance of the ecosystem, and are precious natural heritages of our nation, Lao PDR", said Associate Prof Dr Somvang Phimmavong, Director General of the Forestry Department. This year’s World Wildlife Day focuses on digital innovations that are transforming the way we safeguard our invaluable ecosystems and biodiversity. It is a global platform to explore sustainable solutions to address threats to wildlife. New tools such as SMART patrol, drones, GIS, and maps are helping conservationists to identify, locate and monitor wildlife and critical species in forests and protected areas and wetlands, thus making wildlife conservation easier, more accurate, and efficient. “In the Lao PDR, the Government is taking bold steps in the right direction, with the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2016 – 2025, the forest Law voted in 2019, the protected area decree adopted in June 2023, the Decree on wetlands, the CITES decree under revision, the protected area roadmap in the drafting process. Through enhanced protection of its ecosystems, Laos actively participates in the national and global biodiversity conservation”, said Mrs. Ina Marčiulionytė, EU Ambassador to Lao PDR. “We are very proud to fund the Ecosystem Conservation through Integrated Landscape Management in Lao PDR (ECILL) implemented by the Wildlife Conservation Society in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. This project, builds on field experience in Nam Et-Phou Louey, Nam Kading, Phou Si Thon Endangered Species Conservation Area, and Xe Champhone wetlands, to reflex and feed the policy development process, integrating field experience and lessons learnt”, added Mrs. Ina Marčiulionytė, EU Ambassador to Lao PDR. French Ambassador Siv-Leng Chhuor echoed the EU Ambassador by saying: “I place emphasis the Protected Areas Decree adopted in June 2023, an ambitious text and a bold step for biodiversity protection in Laos, which was draft with inputs from the ECILL project, co-financed by AFD and the European Union and which we hope will be operationalized in the coming months and years. Despite today's celebrations, we must remain vigilant in the face of threats to biodiversity and we encourage the Government of Lao PDR to pursue these efforts and continue now with the implementation of these legislations.” Through various panel discussions with conservation organizations and experts, the event aimed to raise awareness among students of various faculties and colleges about the latest applications of digital technologies in wildlife conservation and the impact of digital interventions on ecosystems and communities. Exhibition booths by conservation partners and educational institutions showcased technological innovation, tools, and services to drive wildlife conservation and human-wildlife coexistence, and highlighted the contributions made to sustainability, wildlife and biodiversity conservation in Lao PDR. World Wildlife Day is celebrated every year on March 3rd to connect people with the natural world and inspire continued learning and action for animals and plants. The event was attended by over 250 people and was organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry with the support of the Working Group 15.7 on combating illegal wildlife trade and trafficking.

Government stakeholders and the Wildlife Conservation Society promote the conservation of Lao wetlands on World Wetlands Day

jmauer@wcs.org — Mon, 05 Feb 2024 06:46:00 GMT

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE), the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) from the central, provincial and district level, and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) in Lao PDR join together in the Xe Champhone Wetlands in Savannakhet province in celebration of World Wetlands Day.The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE), the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) from the central, provincial and district level, and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) in Lao PDR join together in the Xe Champhone Wetlands in Savannakhet province in celebration of World Wetlands Day. Wetlands are considered among the most biologically diverse of all ecosystems, serving as home to a wide range of unique plant and animal species. They are critically important ecosystems that contribute to biodiversity, climate mitigation and adaptation, water quality improvement, and provide local communities with a source of livelihoods. The 2024 theme of “Wetlands and Human Wellbeing” aims to spotlight how all aspects of human well-being - physical, mental and environmental - are tied to the health of the world's wetlands. Despite their importance, wetlands are increasingly threatened by unsustainable fishing practices, fragmentation, and conversion through agricultural intensification. World Wetlands Day was celebrated in Champhone District, Savannakhet province with students from three secondary schools (Houayxay, Kengkok and Taleo) through outreach activities including quizzes and games to educate the youth about the value of wetlands for humanity and the planet. Mr Vongsavanh Viengmany, Governor of Champhone and Vice-Governors of Sonnabouly, Saibouly and Songkhone district, provincial counterparts, WCS Savannakhet team and students exchanged about the crucial role of wetlands for sustaining biodiversity, improving water quality and as a source of livelihoods. In conjunction with World Wetlands Day 2024, a wetlands decree dissemination seminar took place on 30 and 31 January 2024 in Keoudom District, Vientiane Province to disseminate the decree to relevant sectors, report on the progress of wetlands profile in Lao PDR and consult on the Wetland Strategy Concept Note. Chaired by Mr. Chanthanet Bualapha, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, the seminar gathered Deputy Heads of offices, Deputy Heads of Departments of line ministries as well as experts from related sectors including WCS. This Wetlands Decree acts as the reference for managing, monitoring, protecting, developing, and using the wetlands across the country to maintain a balanced ecosystem in line with the National Economic and Social Development Plan, Watershed Management Plan, Conventions and International Agreements that Lao PDR is a party to. Through the interventions in Xe Champhone, the EU/AFD ECILL project will directly address three of the five strategies identified in Laos’ National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) to meet the requirements of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), while also supporting Lao PDR’s commitment to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, through its diverse, integrated activities promoting wise-use of wetland resources and protection of wetland biodiversity and ecological functions. The integrated Landscape Management of the Xe Champhone Wetlands supports local communities to assess, develop and promote livelihoods that also benefit biodiversity conservation. The Xe Champhone Wetland located in Champhone District, Savannakhet Province represents the largest of Lao PDR’s two Ramsar sites (Wetland of International Importance) and is home to an abundance of aquatic biodiversity, as well as one of the world’s last remaining populations of the critically endangered Siamese crocodile, endangered turtle species, and wetland birds. Through the Savannakhet Landscape Program funded by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the European Union (EU) under the Ecosystem Conservation through Integrated Landscape Management in Lao PDR Project (ECILL), WCS is supporting local authorities, partners and communities to develop land and resource-use plans that improve local livelihoods and biodiversity conservation. “Through the community-led initiatives, the program provides a major contribution to the preservation of these critical national assets by allowing the communities in and around the wetlands to adapt their approaches to climate change”, said Mr Vongsavanh Viengmany, Governor of Champhone District. He also stressed the importance of educating the youth about the need to preserve and restore wetlands. “I am delighted to see the enthusiasm from the students to reflect and think about a sustainable future for their land.” Phacksouliya Phommatheth, WCS Savannakhet Program Coordinator added “we all have a role to play in the conservation of wetlands and we should continue working together for clean, productive wetlands that sustain wildlife and local communities. Improved planning and resource management is needed for the long-term benefits of both people and wildlife.” The World Wetlands Day event was attended by over 220 people from the government of Lao PDR at national and subnational levels, offices at provincial level: Agriculture and Forestry, Natural Resources and Environment, Education and Sports, Information, Culture and Tourism, Women’s Union, Lao Youth Union, Foreign Affairs, teachers and students.

Lao PDR adopts the Protected Areas new decree to safeguard and restore biodiversity

jmauer@wcs.org — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 03:05:00 GMT

After three years in the making, the Prime Minister, H.E. Mr. Sonexay Siphandone adopted the new decree on protected areas in Laos on 20 June 2023, marking a major milestone for better management and governance of these biodiversity-rich zones. The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) worked hand in hand with the Lao government, protected area practitioners and key stakeholders to strengthen this important national legislation, within the framework of the ‘Ecosystem Conservation through Integrated Landscape management in Lao PDR (ECILL) project’, financed by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the European Union (EU). Manoly Sisavanh, Deputy Country Director of WCS Lao PDR, looks back on this success. What was the situation in Laos before the decree was passed? Manoly Sisavanh: Since declaring independence in 1975, Lao PDR has included forest protection and biodiversity conservation in its national development agenda. The first evidential actions were carried out in the 1980s through surveying the country's wildlife and their habitats with the support of development partners and NGOs. The first national conference on forestry in 1989 acknowledged that the alarming rate of deforestation in Laos posed serious negative impacts on biodiversity and natural habitats that could drive native species to extinction. So, in 1993 the government of Laos established the first set of 18 National Protected Areas (NPAs) including the Nam Et-Phou Louey and the Nam Kading areas, where the ECILL project provides technical and financial support. More NPAs were created from 1995 to date—making a total of 26 NPAs, of which six were declared ‘National Parks,’ a category of higher protection. To date, several laws have been added to the legal framework, most notable is the Forestry Law, under which the first Protected Area (PA) Decree No. 134 was issued in 2015 to regulate protected area management, protection, development, and use. Since 2016, the forestry sector has undergone progressive sectoral institutional and legal reforms. These include the adoption of the Prime Minister’s Order No. 15 (2016) on increased strictness for timber businesses, the Penal Code (2017) provisions on wildlife and forest-related criminal offenses and punishments, and the Prime Minister’s Order No. 05 (2018) on increased strictness for wildlife businesses in response to the CITES Article XIII compliance. In 2019, the National Green Growth Strategy to 2030 and the new Forestry Law were adopted, which set more comprehensive frameworks and directions for the development of the first Decree on CITES implementation (2022), this new Decree on Protected Areas (2023), and the upcoming revised Wildlife Law and the new Forestry Strategy to 2035. All these policies are set to fulfill Lao PDR’s international commitments under Multilateral Environmental Agreements and national goal to achieve 70% closed-canopy forest cover and to conserve 70% of its total land area as forest areas—comprising Conservation Forests (aka. Protected Areas), Protection Forests, and Production Forest Areas. What is the content of the new decree and how does it compare to the previous one? Manoly Sisavanh: WCS was entrusted by the Department of Forestry to provide technical and scientific advice into the decree designing and drafting process and the overall protected area reform in Lao PDR. In analyzing the shortcomings of the 2015 Decree and the challenges manifested in the field by practitioners, the decree drafting committee introduced six key principles into the new decree. First of all, Protected Areas (PAs) lacked recognition, especially by other sectors. This decree raises the standard, priority, and profile of PAs to align with national goals and meet international standards. The new decree clarifies the Levels of PAs (national, provincial, district and village), six Categories of PAs compatible with the IUCN standards, and the Zones within PAs (totally protected zone, controlled use zone and buffer zone), which allow better protection and control of the activities authorized in each. Secondly, the decree aims to balance benefits between people and nature by involving the inhabitants of the surrounding villages in co-management of the PAs through the ‘Guardian Village’ approach. This approach requires the Guardian Village Conservation Contract that promotes PA communities’ participation and empowers them to jointly make decisions with PA Authorities about resource use and allocation which serve conservation and development objectives. Third, the decree boosts the PA system governance and administration through a centralization approach at the level of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry for all National Protected Areas encompassing two or more provinces as well as for PAs of regional or international listing (i.e. UNESCO World Heritage, IUCN Green List, ASEAN Heritage Park). All National PAs situated within a jurisdiction of one province and Provincial PAs will be managed at the Provincial Agriculture and Forestry Office level, and more flexible for District and Village PAs. Collaboration shall be promoted at central and sub-national levels with local administration offices and other sectors to harmonize and optimize PA land and natural resources use and allocation based on the ‘Integrated Landscape Management principles. Fourth, PA Management Office (PAMO) is formalized as a ‘technical budget unit’ with stamp, mandate, and authority. Guardian Villages will be established and anchored in PA governance and administration. Each PA Management Plan and staffing will be set to better balance community engagement (i.e., outreach, participatory land use planning, livelihoods development) and resource protection. PAMOs will have the option to formalize collaboration and partnership with public, private and non-profit partners. Fifth, the decree clarifies eligible PA use categories—for public, family, customary and business benefits—which entail rights and responsibilities of users. The decree also recognizes land tenure of the inhabitants living inside PAs before its designation through the land registration and land titles or land use certificates for authorized customary land uses inside PAs. Finally, this decree looks carefully into balancing conservation with development aiming at applying the ‘Mitigation Hierarchy’ for business use to avoid or mitigate negative investment impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem services to achieve no net loss, or net gain. It also lays foundations towards innovative sustainable financing schemes to hopefully make PAs financially autonomous in the long-term. The options could include Payment for Ecosystem Services, Carbon Credits, nature-based tourism, Conservation Concession, Biodiversity Offsets, Debt-for-Nature Swab, and so more. Specific options for sustainable financing will be identified in the forthcoming ‘Roadmap for National Protected Area Management and Sustainable Financing’ to be developed by the Department of Forestry in partnership with WCS and relevant stakeholders under the ECILL. What are the next steps for the implementation of this decree? Manoly Sisavanh: Having supported the Department of Forestry throughout the decree development, WCS and all PA stakeholders (governments, development partners, private sector, NGOs/CSOs, academia and local communities) will have a crucial role in its dissemination and implementation. The next step to ensure proper implementation will be the preparation of the ‘Roadmap for National Protected Area Management and Sustainable Financing’, which will set out clear steps for the government to lead and PA stakeholders to support. The steps would include (i) preparing an action plan, (ii) establishing the roadmap formulating committee, (iii) preparing for the reorganization of PA Management Offices as part of PA network, (iv) and developing sustainable financing schemes from both public and private sources that are suitable for Lao PDR’s context. This decree is a big bold step for biodiversity protection in Lao PDR, and we are very proud to have been able to contribute to it within the framework of the AFD and EU-financed ECILL project. We look forward to continuing to work closely with the Lao government and all PA stakeholders to ensure its successful implementation.

Approval of the Xe Champhone Ramsar Management Plan and Field Visit to Xe Champhone Ramsar Wetlands

jmauer@wcs.org — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 04:12:00 GMT

On Monday April 10th, 2023, the Department of Water Resources, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment held the meeting on Approval of the Xe Champhone Ramsar Management Plan under the co-chairmanship of Mr. Chanthaneth Boualapha, Vice Minister of Natural Resources and Environment and Mrs. Lingkham Sengtavanh, Vice Governor of Savannakhet Province with relevant participants from local level and INGOs including Provincial of Natural Resources and Environment; Provincial of Agriculture and Forestry; Provincial of Information, Culture and Tourism; Provincial of Education and Sport; District Governor, District of Agriculture and Forestry Office, District of Natural Resources and Environment Office from Champhone, Songkhone, Sonnabouly district; WCS; IUCN; and FAO to witness in the signing ceremony of the Xe Champhone Ramsar Management Plan at Savannakhet Province Governor’s Office. Xe Champhone Wetlands, located in Savannakhet Province, is the largest of Lao PDR’s two Ramsar sites and contains core habitats of critically endangered Siamese Crocodile, freshwater turtles and tortoises, wetland birds, and other plant and aquatic species which led to the site being declared a “Wetland of International Importance” under the Ramsar Convention. Xe Champhone Ramsar Management Plan was developed with the aim of strengthening the understanding and mutual agreement between those involved in the wetland management, to create an integrated framework for the management and development of the wetlands, and to improve the quality of community’s livelihood while ensuing the richness of the ecological system of wetlands in accordance with the national and local economic development plan and the Ramsar Convention. During the meeting, the Department of Water Resources reported on the steps made to create the management plan, then presented the draft Xe Champhone Ramsar Management Plan and the draft decree on wetlands. Xe Champhone Ramsar boundary extension proposed plan was presented by WCS. Representatives from the relevant parties emphasized the importance of boundary marking being made priority and the need to raise public awareness to recognize the significance of Ramsar wetlands area. Key protection issues were also addressed including the delineation for control use zone versus total protect zone, monitoring the quality and quantity of water; detailed plan to improve community's livelihoods, with a special focus on land use plan in order to prevent encroachment in Xe Champhone Wetlands and the amount of water in the basin area of Xe Champhone Wetlands. The following day, 11 April 2023, WCS staff from Savannakhet Landscape Program led a team from the Department of Water Resources, MONRE; PoNRE and DoNRE to visit the Xe Champhone Ramsar Wetlands and Siamese crocodile head-starting facility at Ban Tansoum, Champhone district. WCS’s Lao PDR Program together with Provincial of Agriculture and Forestry, Provincial of Natural resources and Environment, and local administration authorities, designed and implemented the Community-based Crocodile Recovery and Livelihood Improvement Project, whose goal is the recovery of the local Siamese crocodile population and restoration of associated wetlands, linked by socio-economic incentives that improve local livelihoods. This project was made possible thorough funding by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the European Union (EU) Ecosystem Conservation through Integrated Landscape Management in Lao PDR "ECILL" Project. The ECILL program is a partnership between Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the European Union (EU) and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) in joint efforts with the Lao government and local communities to protect the Lao PDR’s unique biodiversity and sustainable use of natural resources.

Lao PDR: World Wildlife Day 2023 “Partnerships for Wildlife Conservation”

jmauer@wcs.org — Sat, 04 Mar 2023 04:24:00 GMT

World Wildlife Day is celebrated globally every March 3rd to honor the birthday of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This year’s World Wildlife Day fell on the 50th Anniversary of CITES coming into existence and marked the launch of two key legislations in Lao PDR; the launching of the Government Decree implementing CITES in Lao PDR and the National Wildlife Health Surveillance Standard Operation Procedures. The launch of the National Wildlife Health Surveillance Standard Operation Procedures is crucial and highlights the importance of One Health. In the last few decades, it has become increasingly evident that biodiversity and ecosystems conservation, our own health, and the health of wild and domestic animals are all inextricably linked. A single pathogen can wipe out the last populations of an endangered species and, in turn, threaten the stability of local human populations. There is an urgent need to simultaneously address the health of people and animals, recognizing that disease pose challenges to both conservation of the planet's biodiversity and efforts to improve the quality of human life. H.E. Siv-Leng Chhuor, the Ambassador of France to Lao PDR, explained the importance of partnerships, “The French Development Agency (AFD) takes global action worldwide in favor of biodiversity, in particular by supporting actions dedicated to the definition, extension and management of protected areas. In Lao PDR, France supports two projects implemented by WCS, which are ECILL (for Ecosystem Conservation through Integrated Landscape management in Lao PDR) and Hotspot, whose objectives are to ensure the protection of Lao PDR forests and biodiversity while promoting the sustainably management of natural resources and an integrated landscape approach through green business practices and improved regulatory frameworks. On behalf of Team Europe, I want to underline the joint efforts of the Lao government, through the ministry of agriculture and forestry, and technical and financial partners which result in systemic and global impacts having led in particular to the launch of the new legislations we are celebrating today.” To celebrate this year’s theme of Partnerships for Wildlife Conservation, the event was cohosted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry’s Department of Livestock and Fisheries, Department of Forestry, Wildlife Conservation Society, World Organization for Animal Health and the Working Group 15.7 on Combating Wildlife Crime. Filling the Landmark hotel in Vientiane with exhibition booths, conservation organizations came together to showcase the contributions made to sustainability, wildlife and biodiversity conservation in Lao PDR. A preliminary surveillance study of emerging viral pathogens was presented by Institut Pasteur Laos, while Emerging Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis were highlighted by the National Animal Health Laboratory (NAHL). The Protected Area Management Division of the Department of Forestry focused on the importance of biodiversity and landscape conservation, while combating wildlife crime and wildlife rescue efforts were amplified by Lao Wildlife Enforcement Network (WEN) representative and by Free the Bears. Partnerships are key in wildlife conservation; they serve as an opportunity to highlight best practices, collaborate on actions to protect wildlife and amplify our efforts.

Savannakhet Government officials walk to celebrate World Wetlands’ Day

jmauer@wcs.org — Sun, 12 Feb 2023 04:17:00 GMT

Wetlands support biodiversity stability and growth, but did you know that 35% of the world’s wetlands have disappeared in the past 50 years? This is a trend that must be reversed. Wetland restoration has a dramatic impact on our globe and benefits us in multiple ways including reviving biodiversity, improving water supplies, storing carbon, reducing extreme weather, improves livelihoods, boosts eco-tourism, and enhances well-being. World Wetlands Day takes place globally every February 2nd to serve as an opportunity to highlight wetland biodiversity, its status, why it matters and to promote actions to reverse its loss. The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) works with communities and government to protect and restore Lao wetlands including the Xe Champhone Wetland. Xe Champhone Wetland, located in Savannakhet Province, is the largest of Lao PDR’s two Ramser sites and contains core habitat for a globally important population of the critically endangered Siamese Crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis), a fact which led to the site being declared a “Wetland of International Importance” under the Ramsar Convention. On February 10th, the Vice Governor of Savannakhet Mrs. Lingthong Sengtavanh, government representatives from Central, Provincial and District levels, including the Department of Forestry, and Department of Water Resources joined university students and WCS staff walked along the Mekong River in Savannakhet under the banner “It’s time for wetland restoration.” “As the first World Wetlands Day walk in Savannakhet, this is a significant and meaningful event. It celebrates and increases awareness of how important wetlands are for Lao PDR, especially for Savannakhet Province. Wetlands are valuable for life, providing food and livelihoods as well as a habitat for biodiversity, including crocodiles, turtles, fish, and birds.” Said the Vice governor in her opening remarks, continuing “We must work together to conserve our wetlands, by stopping the throwing of rubbish, hunting of wildlife, and illegal acts like electro-fishing. We must stop the clearance of the wetlands and stop land grabbing by people who then try to sell. We must proactively manage and balance activities around the wetlands, or problems will increase such as sedimentation, impacts of droughts and floods.” WCS works to secure protections against the destruction of critical habitats while also working to provide local communities with improved planning for more sustainable resource use, and alternative livelihoods that support sustainable wetlands management through funding by the Margret A. Cargill Foundation, and the European Union and French Development Agency financed Ecosystem Conservation through Integrated Landscape Management in Lao PDR "ECILL" Project.

Signing Ceremony for Memorandum of Understanding, Nam Et – Phou Louey National Park

jmauer@wcs.org — Thu, 26 Jan 2023 03:26:00 GMT

On Thursday January 26th, 2023, the Department of Forestry, Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry represented by Deputy Director General, PhD. Somvang Phimmavong, Deputy Director General and the Wildlife Conservation Society represented by Country Director, PhD. Santi Saypanya signed their sixth Memorandum of Understanding for Nam Et – Phou Louey National Park Management at the Provincial Finance Office in Luang Prabang in front of government officials from Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry, Provincial offices and WCS staff. With an area of 401,720 hectares, Nam Et - Phou Louey National Park is the largest of Laos’ protected areas, covering 10 districts and three provinces. Nam Et - Phou Louey National Park is home to many critical species and diverse carnivore species with at least four felid species (Clouded Leopard Neofelis nebulosa, Asian Golden Cat Catopuma temminckii, Marbled Cat Pardofelis marmorata, and Leopard Cat Prionailurus bengalensis), an Endangered wild dog species (Dhole Cuon alpinus), and highest density of two bear species (Asiatic Black Bear Ursus thibetanus and Sun Bear Helarctos malayanus). Nam Et Phou Louey National Park is home to more than 300 bird species, and one of the largest populations of a Critically Endangered species of gibbons (Northern White- cheeked Gibbon Nomascus leucogeny) , which can only be found in Vietnam and Lao PDR. The MoU signing is key to the continued collaboration and protection of Nam Et – Phou Louey National Park to jointly implement the approved 10-year Management Plan and 5-year Action Plan. Nam Et Phou Louey National Park was established in 1993. Its protection started in 2003 with the Wildlife Conservation Society began collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and by 2006 the first Totally Protected Zone was established. In 2007, the first ranger substation was built, and outreach and livelihood support programs started; in 2010, the first tourism product, the Nam Nern Night Safari, was launched; and in 2019 Nam Et Phou Louey National Park was declared the first National Park of Lao PDR by the Prime Minister. The Nam Et Phou Louey National Park was created to manage and protect the environment, forest, forest resources, watershed, aquatic and wildlife species; to conserve the natural beauty, historical artifacts, culture for recreational use, and scientific research to contributing to the improvement of livelihoods of the peoples and the socio-economic development through green and sustainable growth. Nam Et - Phou Louey National Park is sustainably administered and collaborates with the guardian villages of the landscape, a supportive guardian villages population aware and convinced of the interest of the park which receive equitable benefits from sustainable tourism and other income streams generated by the park. Nam Et - Phou Louey National Park continues to provide a growing contribution to the country's socio economic, cultural development and to global biodiversity. WCS would like to thank all our donors who helped to make this possible; the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the European Union, IUCN SOS, US Bureau of International Narcotics & Law Enforcement, US Fish and Wildlife, World Bank, and the Darwin Initiative.

Ecosystem Conservation through Integrated Landscape Management in Lao PDR (ECILL) 2nd Steering Committee

jmauer@wcs.org — Fri, 13 Jan 2023 03:42:00 GMT

On January 13th 2022, 36 representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment,Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the European Union (EU) and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) gathered to review the achievements and challenges met by the Ecosystem Conservation through Integrated Landscape Management in Lao PDR (ECILL). “WCS has been working in Laos since the 1980s when they first helped our government survey biodiversity and set up the National Biodiversity Conservation Protected Area system for Laos. WCS Laos was official established in 1993, since then WCS has successfully implemented projects across Laos with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and Local government agencies. Today, I would like to thank the EU, AFD, WCS and all my colleagues for the collaboration and hard work that has been gone into protecting our wildlife and our country’s natural resources. We have made a lot of progress, but there is still a lot to be done, especially in light of post- COVID economy recovery.” Dr. Thatheva Saphangthong, Deputy Director General of Department of Agriculture Land and Management, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. ECILL works to ensure the security of Lao PDR forests and biodiversity and assist rural poor in sustainably managing their natural resources by promoting an integrated landscape approach and green growth model. Wildlife friendly livelihood activities such as ecotourism, shade grown coffee, medicinal cardamom, bee keeping, organic farming and bamboo products have provided livelihoods to many surrounding protected areas. At least 3,000 households in 72 forest-dependent communities benefit from an increase in household revenue within the targeted high biodiversity landscapes. These are Nam Et– Phou Louey National Park, Houaphan province, Phou Sithone Endangered Species Conservation Area and Nam Kading National Protected Area in Bolikhamxay province, and the Xe Champhone Ramsar Wetland Complex in Savannakhet province. Vincent Vire, Head of Cooperation from the Delegation of the European Union said in his opening remarks: “The degradation of ecosystems and decline of biodiversity worldwide exacerbate climate change and threaten the natural processes that protect human health and provide clean air, water and food. The European Union is deeply committed to reverse the degradation of ecosystems and has a comprehensive, ambitious and long-term plan to protect nature. Integrated Landscape Management is integral to the EU’s ambitious post-2020 biodiversity and food systems agendas. ECILL in Laos is a good practice example of how biodiversity conservation is advantageous for local communities and villages for the protection of their natural environment and for the increase of their livelihoods.” AFD underlined the importance of the continuity and sustainability of these good results achieved by the project, particularly with the involvement and collaboration of governmental partners. The monitoring activities in these landscapes have validated the rich biodiversity these areas hold and have highlighted the importance of protecting them against the drivers of ecological change. Participatory community consultations conducted in Year 2 resulted in improved land-use planning and land-use zoning conducted with the communities across more than 70 villages. Based on these, 58 community conservation agreements and five newly established fish conservation zones were created to improve user rights of communities. Community Conservation Agreements result from the joint efforts of community and local government and form the basis for law enforcement actions. They directly address threats to key species, such as hunting and snaring, and threats to forests such as clearance for agriculture outside of agreed zones. The ECILL program is funded by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), and the European Union (EU), implemented by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) in coordination with the Lao government and local communities. Moreover, the project engages with Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the private sector with a focus on responsible investments in agriculture, forestry, and hydropower development with a view to mitigate the potential environmental impacts. ECILL has also provided continued support to the Government of Lao PDR in strengthening policy relating to forest and wetland protection to support the institutionalization of national protected area systems in Lao PDR.

Siamese Crocodile conservation milestone achieved at the Xe Champhone Ramsar Wetland Complex

Fri, 17 Jun 2022 11:31:00 GMT

Scientists from the Wildlife Conservation Society, together with their government partners and members of the Ban Natay Village Conservation Team conducted field biodiversity monitoring and collected eggs from the nest of a Siamese crocodile in the Greater Xe Champhone Wetlands in Savannakhet Province. Siamese crocodiles are critically endangered, with less than 1,000 individuals in the wild. In natural populations far less than 5% of eggs laid will be able to survive to adulthood. By collecting eggs from a few nests each year and then raising hatchlings for 2 years until they are nearly 1 meter in length, the Xe Champhone population can have a much better and faster chance to recover. This program is fully supported by local communities who have long prohibited any hunting of the crocodiles due to traditional beliefs and have never reported any issues with the shy species. The mother crocodile was raised in captivity and released eight years ago. She successfully built a nest and laid eggs, making this the first documented case of a “head-started” Siamese crocodile nesting in the wild in Laos and only the 2nd time globally, as in 2020 scientists with Fauna and Flora International (FFI) found a captive-reared female nesting in 2020, however all of the eggs in that nest were unfortunately infertile. After crocodiles hatch, scientists notch particular scales in their tails, a process called scute marking. This mother crocodile was identified as number 36, and records show she hatched in the Ban Tansoum community-run head-starting facility in August 11, 2012 and was released into the wild in 2014. During the seasonal floods which occur each year, she made her way to an oxbow lake several Kilometers away from her original release site, another promising finding that this elusive and difficult to track species is expanding across the landscape. “This was a very exciting day for Siamese crocodile conservation across South East Asia as it gives further evidence that the head-starting model is a successful tool in the recovery of this critically endangered species,” said Samuel Leslie, Savannakhet Landscape Program Director, who joined the nest survey expedition that was led by WCS regional herpetology specialist Dr. Steve Platt and Savannakhet Biodiversity Officer Sounatha Boutxakittilath. The Xe Champhone Wetlands are home to Lao PDR’s last remaining breeding populations of Siamese crocodiles, a fact which lead to the site being declared a “Wetland of International Importance” under the Ramsar Convention. While local spiritual beliefs provide strong protections to these crocodiles from hunting, ongoing habitat destruction inside and adjacent to the Ramsar Site puts this population at great risk. Only 3 out of 30 of Crocodile #36’s eggs were found to be fertile, which could be tied to recent large land clearings next to this oxbow lake, that may have driven male crocodiles away. Luckily other nests have held a higher percentage of fertile eggs. WCS is working to secure protections against the destruction of critical habitats while also working to provide local communities with improved planning for more sustainable resource use, and alternative livelihoods that support sustainable wetlands management through funding by the Margret A. Cargill Foundation, and the European Union and French Development Agency financed Ecosystem Conservation through Integrated Landscape Management in Lao PDR "ECILL" Project.

Strengthened regulatory frameworks step up safeguarding of Lao PDR’s rich biodiverse landscapes for both people and nature

lbott@wcs.org — Thu, 19 May 2022 09:32:00 GMT

Vientiane Capital, 18 May 2022 – The Department of Forestry (DOF) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry held a national consultation workshop on 18 May 2022 among key stakeholders working to safeguard the nation’s protected areas with the finalization of the updated Decree on Protected Areas. As Lao PDR continues to strive towards middle-income country status and economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government of Lao recognizes the importance of sustainable economic growth and the conservation of the nation’s key biodiversity areas to combat against threats resulting from rapid economic development and climate change. The Decree on Protected Areas has been revised based on the promulgated Forestry Law in 2019 and the country’s renewed sustainable and green growth priorities and international commitments. Mr. Sousath Xayakhoummane, Director General of the Department of Forestry, praised the contribution made by all stakeholders engaged in the process of developing and finalizing the draft Decree as the context itself is very complex and sensitive, and it links to many sectors - not just forestry – which means many different decrees, laws and regulations need to be carefully considered to ensure the compliance and the highest interests of the country. Mr. Xayakhoummane also acknowledged that the final draft Decree takes into consideration the uniqueness and characteristics of the country, while ensuring protected area management planning aligns with international standards. The approval of the PA Decree, expected to be August this year, will ensure long-term sustainable development and management of biodiversity through the integrated landscape management approach. This approach offers better planning and coordination across sectors and impacted communities. It also aims to empower protected area management institutions with improved authority and clearly describes the rights and obligations of guardian villages, while facilitating partnerships to sustainably finance the network of protected areas in Lao PDR. The revision of the Decree is supported under a partnership formed between the European Union (EU), French Agency for Development (AFD) and The Wildlife Conservation Society in a joint effort to protect the country’s unique biodiversity and sustainable use of natural resources. The four-year “Ecosystem Conservation through Integrated Landscape Management in Lao PDR (ECILL)” Project utilizes an integrated landscape approach and green growth model, to support improved regulatory frameworks that secure Lao PDR’s forests, biodiversity and assist rural communities in sustainably managing their natural resources. The project promotes co-management models where communities and local government gain increased voice and benefit, and private sector is engaged in sustainable business practice. The project covers three biodiversity-rich areas in Lao PDR, Nam Et-Phou Louey National Park, Bolikhamxay Protected Area Landscapes and the Xe Champhone Ramsar Wetland Complex in Savannakhet. Lao PDR is well-known for its unique and rich biodiversity. It is home to numerous endemic and threatened species, such as the clouded leopard (Pardofelis nebulosa), saola (Pseudoryx nghetinhensis), and Siamese crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis). Lao PDR currently has six National Parks to provide for biodiversity, conserving important habitat, ecosystem balance and building resilience to climate change. The final consultation workshop was attended by representatives from the government sectors at national and provincial level, such as: Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry of Nature Resources and Environment, Ministry of Energy and Mines, Ministry of Planning and Investment, Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, and Ministry of Public Works and Transport. Academia, private sector and non-governmental organizations, international development counterparts and donors also participated and contributed their knowledge and expertise to the final revised draft.

Ms. Manoly Sisavanh is being selected to take part in the Robert W. Wilson’s Environmental Leadership Program

laopdrweb@wcs.org — Wed, 30 Jun 2021 04:01:00 GMT

ປາຄ່າ (Irrawaddy dolphin)

laopdrweb@wcs.org — Tue, 29 Jun 2021 15:10:00 GMT

ການສູນເສຍປາຄ່າອີກໂຕໜຶ່ງ ໃນວັນທີ 12 ມິຖຸນາ 2021 ໃນເຂດວັງປາຄ່າ ໂອໂຈຕຽວ ທີ່ເປັນເຂດວັງນໍ້າຂ້າມພົມແດນ ລະຫວ່າງ ສປປ ລາວ ແລະ ປະເທດກໍາປູເຈຍ ແມ່ນເປັນການຕາຍຂອງປາຄ່າໂຕທີສອງ ໃນຊ່ວງໄລຍະເວລາພຽງແຕ່ 2 ເດືອນ ພາຍໃນປີນີ້, ຊຶ່ງນີ້ກໍໝາຍວ່າ ສປປ ລາວ ຍັງເຫຼືອພຽງ ປ່າຄ່າໂຕດຽວເທົ່ານັ້ນທີ່ຍັງມີຊີວິດຢູ່ (ອີງຕາມການລາຍງານຈາກ ອົງການກອງທຶນອະນຸຮັກທໍາມະຊາດໂລກ ປີ 2016). ອົງການອະນຸລັກສັດປ່າ ປະຈໍາລາວ (WCS Lao PDR) ມີຄວາມເສຍໃຈຕໍ່ເຫດການອັນເສົ້າສະຫຼົດໃຈຄັ້ງນີ້ ແລະ ມີຄວາມກະຕືລືລົ້ນຢາກຊອກຮູ້ເຖິງສາເຫດການຕາຍຂອງປາຄ່າໂຕນີ້. ອີກບໍ່ດົນ ສປປ ລາວ ກໍອາດຈະບໍ່ມີປ່າຄ່າຫຼົງເຫຼືອຢູ່ໃນແມ່ນໍ້າຂອງ ເພາະປັດຈຸບັນຍັງເຫຼືອພຽງແຕ່ປາຄ່າໂຕດຽວໃນເຂດວັງປາຄ່າຂ້າມພົມແດນດັ່ງກ່າວ. ການຫຼຸດລົງຂອງປະຊາກອນປາຄ່າ ແມ່ນຜົນກະທົບທີ່ໜ້າວິຕົກຈາກກິດຈະກໍາຂອງມະນຸດ ທັ້ງທີ່ເຮົາສາມາດຫຼີກລ່ຽງຜົນກະທົບເຫຼົ່ານີ້ໄດ້. ພວກເຮົາຂໍໃຫ້ເຫດການດັ່ງກາວນີ້ ເປັນບົດຮຽນອັນສໍາຄັນເພື່ອນໍາມາຖອດຖອນເຂົ້າໃຊ້ໃນວຽກງານການອະນຸລັກສັດລ້ຽງລູກດ້ວຍນົມຂະໜາດໃຫຍ່ ຢູ່ ສປປ ລາວ. ມາດຕະການປົກປັກຮັກສາສິ່ງແວດລ້ອມ ແລະ ຊີວະນາໆພັນ ຄວນໄດ້ຮັບການຈັດຕັ້ງປະຕິບັດ ແລະ ຕິດຕາມຢ່າງສະໝໍ່າສະເໝີ ເພື່ອຮັບປະກັນບໍ່ໃຫ້ມີການເພີ່ມທະວີການສູນເສຍຊະນິດພັນພືດ ແລະ ສັດ ອັນມີຄຸນຄ່າ ແລະ ເປັນເອກະລັກຂອງຊາດລາວ ໃນພາຍພາກໜ້າ. The loss of an Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris) on June 12, 2021 in the Ochheuteal trans-boundary pool between southern Lao PDR and northern Cambodia is the second death within two months this year, which leaves only one dolphin remaining in Lao PDR (World Wildlife Fund 2016). Wildlife Conservation Society Lao PDR is sadden by this tragic news and eager to learn more regarding this individual’s cause of death. With one dolphin left in the trans-boundary pool, Lao PDR will soon be without one of the Mekong River’s most fascinating creatures. The decline of the Irrawaddy dolphin is yet another distressing, avoidable consequence of human activity. This should serve as major lesson learned in conservation of large mammals in Lao PDR. Effective environmental and biodiversity protection measures must be implemented and consistently followed to ensure that further losses of Laos' unique and valued flora and fauna are avoided. ຂໍ້ມູນອ້າງອີງ Reference: ລາຍງານຈາກ ອົງການກອງທຶນອະນຸຮັກທໍາມະຊາດໂລກ (World Wildlife Fund) 2016, Irrawaddy dolphins functionally extinct in Laos: WWF, World Wildlife Fund, viewed 21 June 2021, < https://wwf.panda.org/wwf_news/?282570/Irrawaddy-dolphins-functionally-extinct-in-Laos-WWF>.

Joint Press Statement of the Special ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Illegal Wildlife Trade

dleroux@wcs.org — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 04:19:00 GMT

1. We, the Ministers responsible for CITES and Wildlife Enforcement, hereby convey our Statement on Illegal Wildlife Trade in the occasion of the Special ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Illegal Wildlife Trade on 21-22 March 2019 in Chiang Mai, Thailand, under the chairmanship of H.E. General Surasak Karnjanarat, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Kingdom of Thailand, representing the 2019 Chair Country of ASEAN. 2. We endorsed the Chiang Mai Statement of ASEAN Ministers Responsible for CITES and Wildlife Enforcement on illegal wildlife trade. We commit to strengthen our cooperation to advance the fight against illegal wildlife trade, especially through the following approaches: (i) global and regional wildlife trade policy, (ii) demand reduction, (iii) law enforcement, and (iv) wildlife cybercrime. Global and Regional Wildlife Trade Policy 3. We reaffirm our commitment to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Goal.15 Targets 15.7 and 15.c and recognise the important role of international agreements, in particular the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) that ensures conservation and sustainable use of wild animals and plants through strict implementation of international trade regulations. We are also pleased with the initial achievement of the implementation of the Plan of Action for ASEAN Cooperation on CITES and Wildlife Enforcement, 2016-2020. Demand Reduction 4. We will further enhance collaborative actions among AMS in combating illegal wildlife trade through demand reduction and public awareness campaigns, including the celebration of significant events such as World Wildlife Day. Law Enforcement 5. We reaffirm our commitments to strengthen collaborative actions to tackle the illicit financial flow associated with illegal wildlife trade with public/private collaboration and 2 step up efforts in enforcing law against corruption and money-laundering activities. We will enhance effort to enforce the effective domestic law to give deterrent effect to wildlife offences. The actions to combat wildlife trafficking by enhancing international cooperation through Wildlife Enforcement Networks (WENs) were also encouraged. 6. We welcome the development of the ASEAN Guidelines for Detecting and Preventing Wildlife Trafficking, including ASEAN wildlife crime database to improve regional mechanisms and collaboration in dealing with wildlife enforcement issues. Wildlife Cybercrime 7. We acknowledge the contribution of governments in fighting against wildlife cybercrime by allocating enforcement resources to curb with cybercriminal, and welcome the increased recognition of wildlife cybercrime through CITES with the adoption of a strong Resolution and Decision on combating wildlife cybercrime. 8. We expressed our sincere appreciation and gratitude to the Government and People of the Kingdom of Thailand for hosting the Special ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Illegal Wildlife Trade and for their warm hospitality and excellent arrangements for the Meeting. 9. We extend our appreciation to international partners including CITES, UNODC, INTERPOL, IUCN, and various NGOs for their constructive recommendations and collaboration to support ASEAN cooperation in addressing illegal wildlife trade. 10. The Meeting was attended by: (1) H.E. Abdul Halidi Mohd Salleh, Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism, Brunei Darussalam (2) H.E. Prof. Thuok Nao, Secretary of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Kingdom of Cambodia (3) H.E. Rasion Ridho Sani, Director General of Law Enforcement, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Republic of Indonesia (4) H.E. Mr. Thongphath Vongmany, Vice Minister, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (5) H.E. Dato’ Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim, Director General, Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Ministry of Water, Land and Natural Resources, Malaysia (6) H.E. U Ohn Win, Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation, Republic of the Union of Myanmar (7) H.E. Ricardo L. Calderon, Assistant Secretary for Staff Bureau, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Republic of the Philippines (8) H.E. Dr. Yap Him Hoo, Director General, Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority, Ministry for National Development, Republic of Singapore (9) H.E. General Surasak Karnjanarat, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Kingdom of Thailand (10) H.E. Prof. Pham Van Dien, Deputy Administrator, Viet Nam Administration of Forestry, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Socialist Republic of Viet Nam (11) H.E. Dato Lim Jock Hoi, Secretary-General of ASEAN

Laos reaffirms commitment to wildlife law enforcement

dleroux@wcs.org — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 04:06:00 GMT

Laos has vowed to continue cooperation with international partners in addressing challenges in wildlife law enforcement, with the country still at risk of illegal trading.Deputy Director of the Department of Forest Inspection under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ms Louamkham Sengchanoudom, addressed the issue on Thursday at a consultation workshop on the Wildlife Legality Compendium Project.

Illegal Ivory Seized In Raid On Luang Prabang Shop

dleroux@wcs.org — Fri, 11 Jan 2019 04:13:00 GMT

More than 73 kilograms of ivory products were confiscated from a souvenir shop in Luang Prabang province recently and the foreign owner detained for suspected trading in elephant ivory.The Forest Inspection Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, in collaboration with the Lao Wildlife Enforcement Network (Lao-WEN) and local authorities raided the shop and confiscated more than 3,400 ivory items weighing 73.8 kilograms. The ivory products were hidden in secret drawers under the shop’s counters.Also seized were the horns of wild animals including deer antlers, which are in strong demand by mostly foreign tourists.Deputy Director General of the Forest Inspection Department, Mr Thongphanh Ratanalangsy, told Vientiane Times yesterday the confiscated ivory would be kept as evidence and the shop owner detained for questioning.The raid was conducted by the Forest Inspection Department in cooperation with Lao-WEN, and the Luang Prabang provincial Office of Forest Inspection (POFI) in response to information supplied by the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC) Indicator, World Justice Commission (WJC), World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). The investigation followed reports of suspected illegal trading at the shop.The Forest Inspection Department and POFI are investigating the suspects associated with the shop to prepare the case for prosecution.Trafficking, trading, importing and exporting prohibited forms of wildlife is illegal under Lao law.Authorities have previously uncovered many cases of wildlife trading especially in local markets across the country with animal carcasses seized and live fauna rehabilitated before being released. Vendors engaged in the illegal trade were reprimanded, Mr Thongphanh added.In May, the prime minister issued Executive Order No. 5 to strengthen the management and inspection of prohibited wild fauna and flora.This includes species listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) of wild fauna and flora and implementing the National Ivory Action Plan to which Laos is a state party.Anyone with information about illegal wildlife trading is urged to call authorities on 021 216 508.Source: Vientiane Times

IWT Conference 2018: Declaration commits over 50 countries to action for endangered species

dleroux@wcs.org — Fri, 12 Oct 2018 03:31:00 GMT

Over 50 countries have adopted the London 2018 declaration committing to action to protect endangered species around the globe, with more expected to sign today and in the coming days.On top of the high-level international agreement, a number of countries will also pledge individual commitments to stamp out the abhorrent trade. These will be added and published over the coming weeks and months to ensure momentum continues in this crucial area.Hosted by the UK government, the two-day event hosted delegates from more than 70 countries, with representatives from charities and conservation groups also coming together to find collective solutions to the illegal wildlife trade, one of the most lucrative serious organised crimes.Building on our action to date, the UK government is today announcing new commitments from the conference:£50,000 of funding to support in-country projects which complement the work of the new British military counter-poaching taskforce.£50,000 for new WILDLABS Tech Hub which will bring together technology companies and conservation organisations to provide innovative solutions to fight the illegal wildlife trade in ODA-eligible countries.Up to £40,000 as part of a partnership with Tale2Tail and WWF to fund education packs in multiple languages to help children understand the key issues in the illegal wildlife trade.Plans to establish a new global consortium of demand reduction and behaviour change specialists with local area insight to inform future working.It has also been confirmed that Peru will host the first regional conference in Latin America focused on IWT in 2019, supported by up to £50,000 of UK government funding.Addressing the conference this morning, Environment Secretary Michael Gove said:A record number of nations have signed up to our pledge, to the London Declaration, and I would urge all of you today to sign a pledge. To make sure a single unified voice emerges from this conference. A voice dedicated to making sure that we work together as one world, to save the wildlife that we have. That we work together as one cause, so that those most affected by crime can be protected and saved from the criminals.The UK Government is taking a leading role in the fight against the criminals that operate in this murky world.We are expanding funding for counter-poaching training for rangers in Africa, have committed additional new funding for projects aimed at reducing demand for products made from illegally traded wildlife, and launched a new initiative to target wildlife traffickers and criminal gangs, tackling the corruption at the heart of this vile trade. We are inviting applications from charities working on wildlife and conversation issues in the latest £20 million round of UK Aid Match.And through the Ivory Alliance 2024, the UK has also brought together a new coalition of political leaders, conservationists and celebrities dedicated to defeating the illegal trade in ivory.Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt told the conference:The criminal gangs who smuggle horns and tusks pose one of the greatest threats to the survival of wildlife. They target some of the poorest countries in the world, spreading corruption and depriving governments of desperately needed revenues that could be used for schools and hospitals.My aim is for Britain to do everything possible to protect wild animals for the sake of our grandchildren. If we failed to act, quite simply we would never be forgiven.The conference has also seen major commitments from the private sector.On the eve of conference, the Duke of Cambridge brought together global financial organisations which jointly declared they “will not knowingly facilitate or tolerate financial flows that are derived from IWT and associated corruption”. The Wildlife Financial Taskforce brings together representatives from 30 global banks and financial organisations such as Standard Chartered, HSBC, RBS and City Group, and agencies and regulatory bodies including TRAFFIC and RUSI.And one hundred travel and tourism companies have now signed up to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Buenos Aires Declaration, working towards a common goal to educate over 1 billion travellers about the fight against the illegal wildlife trade.The International Development Secretary, Penny Mordaunt, said:The Illegal Wildlife Trade is having a devastating impact on both endangered wildlife and the world’s poorest people.Nobody wants to see these extraordinary species become extinct, or the communities living near their habitats struggle for jobs and livelihoods, which is why UK aid has a unique role to play in tackling the underlying causes driving these problems, from extreme poverty to deforestation.The UK government is proud to have brought together countries from around the world this week to commit UK aid to tackling a global issue.BackgroundKeep up to date with all the latest news and announcements from the conference, including the latest individual country commitments, on our dedicated Illegal Wildlife Trade Conference gov.uk page.Among the pledges made at this week’s conference were:Laos committed to a total ban on ivory;United States Attorney General Sessions announced the US will fund more than $90 million in counter-wildlife trafficking programs and projects in the coming year. via Gov.UK

Vietnamese businessman arrested over suspected ivory trade

dleroux@wcs.org — Wed, 19 Sep 2018 03:26:00 GMT

A Vietnamese businessman suspected of trafficking and trading in elephant ivory was recently arrested in Vientiane, police officers said.The raid was based on a verified tip-off and a report from a citizen about the suspected trafficking, said the Department of Combating Natural Resources and Environmental Crime (DCNEC) under the Ministry of Public Security.

Lao Prime Minister Tightens Regulations Against Wildlife Trafficking

dleroux@wcs.org — Thu, 31 May 2018 03:19:00 GMT

Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith has issued an order to tighten regulations against hunting and trade of protected wildlife. Individuals or groups that breach the order are to be arrested and prosecuted.The PM issued the Order for Increased Stringency in Management and Inspection of Protected Wild Fauna and Flora, No. 05/PM, on 08 May this year.

Film competition highlights illegal wildlife trafficking

dleroux@wcs.org — Sat, 16 Dec 2017 03:39:00 GMT

The Mekong region is a perfect storm - a source, transit route and final destination for many of the world’s most valuable and threatened wildlife species. This multi-million dollar trade significantly threatens the survival of endangered species including tiger, Asian and African elephant, and all rhino species, as well as pangolins - the most trafficked animal in the world. Illegal wildlife trafficking represents the third-largest illicit trade in the world, with an estimated value of up to $19 billion per year. As a region, Southeast Asia remains among the most critical in terms of severity and volume of wildlife trafficking. Driven by high demand in East Asia for animal products in the form of food, traditional medicine, and decoration, the illegal wildlife trade in Southeast Asia is responsible for approximately 25% of the global industry.The UK Government and the Luang Prabang Film Festival, in cooperation with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), initiated a short film competition in order to draw attention to this crucial issue for the Mekong region. The jury selected the top three films from the main competition and the top student film to win prizes. The UK Embassies in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam selected one Special Prize-winning film per country, as well. Ten films were also chosen compete on the festival’s Facebook page for the Viral Prize, which was awarded to the film with the most shares over a month-long period.FIRST PRIZE:The Children of the Jungle by Sonepasith PhanphilaSECOND PRIZE:Chasing Wildlife by Souksamlan Laladeth THIRD PRIZE/SPECIAL PRIZE – MYANMAR:Bo Bo & Mo Mo by Zarchi Damloup VIRAL PRIZE/STUDENT PRIZE:Breath by Phan Lê Hạ Long SPECIAL PRIZE – CAMBODIA:Untrapped by Polen Ly SPECIAL PRIZE – LAOS:A Letter to My Dad by Vilayphong Phongsavanh SPECIAL PRIZE – VIETNAM:In Zebedee's Memory by Linh Luyen

Future direction of northern protected area under scrutiny

pEshoo@wcs.org — Thu, 04 Jul 2013 23:41:00 GMT

Vientiane Times, July 5, 2013 Nearly 100 officials from three northern provinces gathered in Luang Prabang province last week to discuss the sustainability of the Nam Et-Phou Louey National Protected Area (NPA), regarded as one of the most important NPAs in Laos. The annual meeting, organised by the Ministry of National Resources and Environment with support from the Wildlife Conservation Society and the World Bank, aimed to review achievements and the future direction of the 420,000ha protected area. Clos er cooperation in management, dealing with mining exploration and infrastructure development and expanding the NPA's overall area were three key issues considered by participants. As the NPA spans Huaphan, Luang Prabang and Xieng Khuang provinces, the meeting was attended by dozens of provincial deputy governors, district chiefs and natural resource and environment officials, as well as representatives from central government and international organisations. The meeting was co-chaired by Luang Prabang Deputy Governor, Mr Khankham Chanthavisouk, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Forestry Management Department Deputy Director General, Mr Saisamone Photisat, and Luang Prabang Department of Natural Resources and Environment's Director, Mr Bounlat Lattanaphoubai. Mr Khankham said it was important to create awareness about environmental protection among authorities and villagers. “Providing permanent occupations for local people is also necessary for natural conservation, as is cooperation between related sectors, which is crucial to protect our natural resources,” he said. Through the meeting, parties agreed to strive for close collaboration between authorities and hold further discussions before any activities or projects could be conducted in the area. Participants also agreed to appoint a Nam Et-Phou Louey NPA advisory committee, on which the deputy governors would serve as chairmen and other related officials would sit. In relation to a pla n to extend the area of the NPA by about 900sq km, meeting participants agreed to survey the intended areas and further study the plan's potential impact on villages. Nam Et-Phou Louey NPA, declared in 1993, is located in the north-east of Laos and covers 129 villages in eight districts of three provinces. It is mostly hilly or mountainous terrain, is the source of several rivers, and features a high level of biodiversity. The area is home to a number of endangered species, including the tiger, gaur, Sambar deer and white-cheeked gibbon. The purpose of its creation was to conserve the area's ecosystem and its functions for the future. International organisations and financial institutions provide assistance to ensure the sustainability of the area. By Times Reporters (Latest Update June 26, 2013)

Nineteen Baby Siamese Crocodiles Released in Lao PDR by WCS and Partners

pEshoo@wcs.org — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 02:57:00 GMT

Fewer than 250 of the critically endangered crocs remain in the wild Release is a collaboration of WCS, Government of Lao PDR, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Minmetals Resources Limited, Lao Zoo, and local communities THAN SOUM, LAO PDR (February 21, 2012) — The Wildlife Conservation Society announced today the successful release of 19 critically endangered baby Siamese crocodiles into a local wetland in Lao PDR, where they will be repatriated into the wild. The 19-month-old hatchlings, approximately 70 cm (27 inches) in length, are part of a head-starting program where crocodiles are hatched at the Lao Zoo for eventual release into their native habitat. Conservationists estimate that less than 250 Siamese crocodiles remain in the wild due to overhunting and habitat loss. The release took place in the village of Than Soum in the Xe Champhone wetland complex in Savanakhet Province near where the eggs of the 19 crocodiles were found during wildlife surveys in 2011. The hatchlings were transported from the Lao Zoo to a ‘soft release’ pen and will remain for several months to acclimate with the local area. Members of the Village Crocodile Conservation Group will guard the pen and provide supplementary feeding of the hatchlings to ensure their survival. Once the rainy season begins, the water level in the wetland will rise and allow the crocodiles to swim away, where they will be monitored periodically by conservationists. A public ceremony will take place on March 6th in Than Soum where local community members will celebrate this collaborative effort with WCS, Government of Lao PDR, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Minmetals Resources Limited, and the Lao Zoo. WCS Lao PDR Program designed and implemented the release as part of the Community-based Crocodile Recovery and Livelihood Improvement Project. The goal of the program is the recovery of the local Siamese crocodile population and restoration of associated wetlands, linked by socio-economic incentives that improve local livelihoods. “We are extremely pleased with the success of this collaborative program and believe it is an important step in contributing to the conservation of the species by involving local communities in long term wetland management,” said Alex McWilliam a conservation biologist with WCS’s Lao PDR Program. “The head starting component of this integrated WCS program represents a significant contribution to the conservation of this magnificent animal in the wild.” Rick Watsford, General Manager, MMG Lane Xang Minerals Limited Sepon, said: “MMG is proud to support the work of the Government of Lao PDR and the WCS in relation to this program. This support demonstrates our company’s commitment contributing positively to the communities in which we operate.” Joe Walston, WCS Executive Director for Asia Programs, said: “Successful conservation is about partnerships – whether it’s at the global level with climate change and wildlife trade or the local level with tigers and crocs – the collective support of local communities, governments, and the private sector in Laos makes stories like this so encouraging.” Classified as Critically Endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, the Siamese crocodile grows up to 10 feet in length. The species has been eliminated from much of its former range through Southeast Asia and parts of Indonesia by overhunting and habitat degradation and loss. In 2014, the head-starting component of the program will be taken on by local communities in the Xe Champhone wetland complex. WCS has already conducted training for this transition and implemented a trial program of rearing young crocodiles at Than Soum village. The Wildlife Conservation Society saves wildlife and wild places worldwide. We do so through science, global conservation, education and the management of the world's largest system of urban wildlife parks, led by the flagship Bronx Zoo. Together these activities change attitudes towards nature and help people imagine wildlife and humans living in harmony. WCS is committed to this mission because it is essential to the integrity of life on Earth. Visit www.wcs.org. CONTACT: STEPHEN SAUTNER: (1-718-220-3682; ssautner@wcs.org) JOHN DELANEY: (1-718-220-3275; jdelaney@wcs.org)

WCS Lao Signs Agreement with Department of Forestry to Support Jurisdictional REDD+ Project in Houaphan Province

pEshoo@wcs.org — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 05:05:00 GMT

On December 18th, 2012, the WCS Lao program signed a six year agreement with the Lao Department of Forestry to support the implementation of the Lao – GermanClimate Protection through Avoided Deforestation (CliPAD) project in Houaphan Province. Under this agreement, WCS will provide technical services related to REDD+ safeguards, national protected area (NPA) management, law enforcement strategy development and general REDD+ readiness support. CliPAD is a €14 million development project of the Federal Republic of Germany that provides both technical and financial support to the Government of Laos to establish REDD+ demonstration activities that are both ‘pro-poor’ and benefit biodiversity. CliPAD has selected Houaphan Province as one of its target sites, which is where the Nam Et-Phou Louey (NEPL) NPA is sited. In Houaphan Province, CliPAD aims to establisha jurisdictional REDD+ program under the third-party Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Jurisdictional and Nested REDD+ (JNR) requirements. Jurisdictional REDD+programs are a new approach to REDD+ which, to date, have typically focused at the project level. Jurisdictional REDD+ operates at the level of an administrative unit (e.g. national or provincial) and more intimately involves government agencies in both strategy development and implementation of mitigation activities. Besides establishing the necessary provincial level strategies, frameworks and institutions, CliPAD will also direct investments at forty villages in Houameuang District to demonstrate on-the-ground approaches to reducing forest-based greenhouse gas emissions. The NEPL NPA covers a large portion of Houaphan Province, and its effective management is, therefore, a crucial component of the overall CliPAD strategy. Under the agreement, WCS agreed to upscale its activities in the NEPL NPA with additional funding made available by CliPAD. Additionally, WCS will make its law enforcement and in-house REDD+ expertise available to CliPAD to help it achieve its project goals. In the long-term, WCS is interested to see this project become a model for how REDD+ can be used as a sustainable financing mechanism to protect biodiversity and livelihoods both in Lao PDR and globally.

Saola still a mystery 20 years after its spectacular debut

pEshoo@wcs.org — Mon, 21 May 2012 05:51:00 GMT

Hanoi, Vietnam – Two decades after the sensational discovery of a new ungulate species called the saola, this rare animal remains as mysterious and elusive as ever. WWF, the Saola Working Group (SWG) of the IUCN Species SurvivalCommission and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) warn the species is sliding towards extinction because of intensive hunting pressure and poor reserve management. A cousin of cattle but recalling anantelope in appearance, the saola was discovered in 1992 by a joint team from Vietnam’s Ministry of Forestry and WWF surveying the forests of Vu Quang, near Vietnam's border with Laos. The team found a skull with unusual long, straight horns in a hunter's home and knew it was something extraordinary. The find proved to be the first large mammal new to science in more than 50 years and one of the most spectacular zoological discoveries of the 20th century. Twenty years on, little is still known about the saola’s ecology or behaviour. In 2010, villagers in the central Laos province of Bolikhamxay captured a saola, but the animal died several days later. Prior to that, the last confirmed record of a saola in the wild was in 1999 from camera-trap photos in Bolikhamxay. “Saola are extremely secretive and very seldom seen,” said Nick Cox, Manager of WWF-Greater Mekong’s Species Programme. “While they inhabit a very restricted range, there is still no reported sighting of a saola in the wild by a scientist, and the handful of saola that have been taken into captivity have not survived.” The difficulty in detecting the animal has prevented scientists from making a precise population estimate. “If things are good, there may be a couple of hundred saola out there,” said William Robichaud,Coordinator of the Saola Working Group. “If things are bad, the population could now be down in the tens.” While development is encroaching in the saola’s forest habitat, the greatest threat comes from illegal hunting. Saola are caught in wire snares set by hunters to catch other animals, such as sambar deer, muntjac deer and civets, which are largely destined for the lucrative wildlife trade, driven by traditional medicine demand in China and restaurant and food markets in Vietnam and Laos. “Paradoxically, the saola seems to be one of the few vertebrates in the Annamites without a high price on its head,” added Robichaud. “Saola are caught largely as bycatch–-like the tuna and dolphin scenario.” Since the discovery of the saola, Vietnam and Laos have established a network of protected areas in the animal’s core range and some reserves are pursuing innovative approaches to tackle rampant poaching. In the Saola Nature Reserve in Vietnam’s Thua Thien Hue Province, a new approach to forest guard co-management, supported by WWF, is delivering good results. Since February 2011, the newly established team of forest guards patrolling the reserve have removed more than 12,500 snares and close to 200 illegal hunting and logging camps. “The establishment of critical reserves by the governments of Vietnam and Laos is to be commended,” said Dr. Barney Long, Asian species expert for WWF-US. “However, without increasing efforts to adopt new approaches to manage the protection of saola habitat through targeted snare removal, these protected areas will be little more than lines drawn on a map.” “If hunting levels can be significantly reduced, we are optimistic about the species' prospects,” said Chris Hallam, WCS-Laos’ Conservation Planning Advisor. “This will require funds for more patrol boots on the ground in saola areas, developing positive incentives for its conservation, and ultimately reducing consumer demand for wildlife meat and products.” Efforts to save the saola have reached a greater level of urgency since another of Vietnam's iconic species, the Vietnamese Javan rhino, was confirmed extinct in2011 after the battle to save the last individual was lost to poachers. “The saola has made it to its twentieth anniversary, but it won’t have many more anniversaries unless urgent action is taken,” added Hallam. The saola is an icon for biodiversity in the Annamite mountain range that runs along the border of Vietnam and Laos. This biodiversity hotspot boasts an incredible diversity of rare species, with many found nowhere else on the planet. In addition to the discovery of the saola, two new species of deer, the large-antlered muntjac and the Truong Son muntjac, were uncovered in the Annamite’s rugged, evergreen forests in 1994 and 1997 respectively. “The lack of significant demand for saola in the wildlife trade gives great hope for its conservation,” said Robichaud. “But we still need to act. One of the rarest and most distinctive large animals in the world has been quietly slipping toward extinction through complacency.” For further information: Sarah Bladen, Communications Director, WWF-Greater Mekong, t +84437193049, m +84 1224 223 760 sarah.bladen@wwfgreatermekong.org Stephen Sautner, WCS Communications Director, t +1-718-220-3682; ssautner@wcs.org Maggie Roth, IUCN Media Relations, t +4122 999 0115, m +41 79 104 2460, e maggie.roth@iucn.org Notesto the editor: · Photos, caption and credits are available for download at: http://www.mediafire.com/?164orbnqr8frc · Saola footage / b-roll can be downloaded at the following you sendit link. © Wildlife ConservationSociety https://www.yousendit.com/dl?phi_action=app/orchestrateDownload&rurl=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.yousendit.com%252Ftransfer.php%253Faction%253Dbatch_download%2526send_id%253D1503018969%2526email%253Da0698dbdbf21816ca8a02db7a5f8f876&s=19105&cid=tx-02002208350200000000 · View the recent 5-minute WWF / SWG film about thesaola: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Xv8MPOyMfU About the IUCN SSC SaolaWorking Group (SWG) The SWG is a Working Group of the IUCN Species Survival Commission's Asian Wild Cattle Specialist Group. The members of this group are biologists, conservationists, and zoo professionals committed to the dissemination of information, research, and conservation of the saola. They work collaborativelyto design and implement the most appropriate conservation measures for the saola across its range in Vietnam and Laos. http://www.savethesaola.org/ and http://www.asianwildcattle.org/species.saola.status.php About IUCN IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, helps the world find pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environment and development challenges by supporting scientific research; managing field projects all over the world; and bringing governments, NGOs, the UN, international conventions and companies together to develop policy, laws and best practice. The world's oldest and largest global environmental network, IUCN is a democratic membership union with more than 1,000 government and NGO member organizations, and almost 11,000 volunteer scientists and experts in some 160 countries. IUCN's work is supported by over 1,000 professional staff in 60 offices and hundreds of partners in public, NGO and private sectors around the world. www.iucn.org About WWF WWF is one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservationorganizations, with over 5 million supporters and a global network active inover 100 countries. WWF's missionis to stop the degradation of the earth's natural environment and to build afuture in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption. www.panda.org About the Wildlife Conservation Society The Wildlife Conservation Society saves wildlife and wildplaces worldwide. We do so through science, global conservation, education and the management of the world’s largest system of urban wildlife parks, led by the flagship Bronx Zoo. Together these activities change attitudes towards nature and help people imagine wildlife and humans living in harmony. WCS is committed to this mission because it is essential to the integrity of life on Earth. http://www.wcs.org

WCS Helps Hatch Rare Siamese Crocodiles in Lao PDR

pEshoo@wcs.org — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 03:29:00 GMT

New program focuses on saving Critically Endangered reptile and its wetland habitat NEW YORK (August 30, 2011)—Working with the government of Lao PDR, the Wildlife Conservation Society has helped to successfully hatch a clutch of 20 Siamese crocodiles, a species threatened across its range by hunting, habitat fragmentation and loss, and other factors. Hatched from eggs taken from the wild and incubated at the Laos Zoo, the baby crocodiles represent a success for a new program that works to save the Siamese crocodile and the wetlands and associated biodiversity of Laos’ Savannakhet Province. The project is supported by the Savannakhet Province Agriculture and Forestry Office and MMG LXML Sepon. “We’re thrilled at the prospect of augmenting the wild population of Siamese crocodiles with a new batch of healthy juveniles,” said Chris Hallam, Conservation Planning Advisor for the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Lao PDR Program and the crocodile project coordinator. “It’s a small but important step in helping to conserve a valuable part of the natural heritage of Lao PDR for the benefit of future generations.” Launched in 2008 as the Crocodile Resource Management Plan, the project uses crocodile conservation as a means of protecting the larger landscape. The first phase of the project focused on surveys of crocodiles, the wetlands where they occur, and the livelihoods of local communities in Savannakhet Province. Survey teams located small numbers of crocodiles in several sites in the province’s river systems and wetlands. The recently hatched eggs are part of the crocodile replenishment phase of the project, where eggs from wild nests are transported to captive settings in order to boost the survivorship of the clutches. The hatchlings will be released as second-year juveniles, when the reptiles are large and robust enough to avoid mortality in the wild. The plan, say organizers, also relies on input and involvement from local communities, who will help promote the recovery of the Siamese crocodile and the habitat on which many livelihoods rely. "This integrated project promotes the conservation of an entire landscape by highlighting the critical connections between an endangered species and local livelihoods,” said Joe Walston, Director of WCS’s Asia Program. Classified as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the Siamese crocodile grows up to 10 feet in length. The species has been eliminated from much of its former range through Southeast Asia and parts of Indonesia by overhunting and habitat degradation and loss. Contact: John Delaney: (1-718-220-3275; jdelaney@wcs.org) Stephen Sautner: (1-718-220 3682; ssautner@wcs.org)

Rare Animal Seen for the First Time in More than a Decade, in Laos

pEshoo@wcs.org — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 23:21:00 GMT

One of the rarest and most mysterious animals in the world, the saola of Laos and Vietnam, has been seen by biologists for the first time in more than ten years. The government of Lao PDR confirms that in late August villagers in Xaychamphon District of Bolikhamxay Province caught a saola, and were holding it in a pen in the forest. The Lao government, in cooperation with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), immediately dispatched a technical team to examine the saola and release it. Unfortunately, the animal, an adult male weakened from the ordeal of several days in captivity, died shortly after the team reached the remote village. The saola was discovered as a species new to science only in 1992, in forests in Vietnam near the Lao border. It was one of the most surprising and spectacular zoological discoveries of the 20thcentury. With their long horns and white facial markings, saola resemble the desert antelopes of North Africa, but are more closely related to cattle. They are solitary and secretive, and inhabit only dense forests of the Annamite Mountains along the Lao/Vietnam border. The species is considered "Critically Endangered" by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and probably no more than a few hundred survive. It is one of the most threatened large mammals in the world. Although local villagers still report seeing saola in several area of Laos and Vietnam, the last confirmed records were two photos of saola in the wild taken by automatic camera traps in 1999, also in Bolikhamxay Province. There are no saola in zoos anywhere. A statement from the Provincial Conservation Unit of Bolikhamxay Province said, "The death of this Saola is unfortunate, but at least it confirms an area where it still occurs, and the government will immediately move to strengthen conservation efforts there". The technical team was able to photograph the animal, and preserve the body for further study. Very little is known about the saola, and the information can contribute to efforts to conserve the species in the wild. It is not clear why the villagers brought the animal into captivity. The Lao Department of Forestry, Provincial Agriculture and Forestry Office, and district authorities in Xaychamphon are now urging villagers in the area not to capture saola, and immediately release any others they might encounter. William Robichaud, coordinator of the IUCN Saola Working Group, said, "The government of Lao PDR and WCS are to be commended for their rapid response and efforts to save this animal. We hope the information gained from the incident can be used to ensure that this is not the last saola anyone has a chance to see".