Vientiane, Lao PDR, December 1, 2009 


Lao PDR government agencies, non-governmental organizations, international organizations, companies and members of the public came together on November 26, 2009 to launch a major campaign to promote Lao wildlife conservation and prevent illegal trade

The Lao Wildlife Trade Campaign coincides with the 25^th Southeast Asian Games, to be held in Vientiane from 9-18 December 2009. Such a regional event provides a very opportune moment to amplify the message about the importance of Lao biodiversity and the illegality of the wildlife trade to both Lao citizens and international visitors, 

Expressing a great concern during the launch, H.E. Mr.Khamchen Vongphosy, Vice Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, called on the Lao people to recognise that wildlife is part of the country’s natural heritage. “The Government of Laos would like to emphasise the important role of both Lao citizens and visitors to our country in protecting our wildlife by refusing to buy, sell or consume wildlife products”, he added.

Domestic, regional and international demand for wildlife products are one of the major drivers for the depletion of threatened wildlife species such as Indochinese tigers, Gibbons, Pangolins, Asian elephants and, freshwater turtles and tortoises in Lao PDR and in neighboring countries.

The loss of these species, among many others under risk of extinction, significantly contributes to the crisis of biodiversity loss facing our planet. Biodiversity loss is detrimental to ecosystems as well as to people, as it underlies health, well-being, and above all, the sustainability of all forms of life.

In global terms, illegal wildlife trade is the third largest illegal trade, after arms and drugs. Interpol estimates it to be worth US$10-$20 billion each year.

South East Asia is a hotspot for the illegal wildlife trade and Lao PDR is a source country, a consumer country and a transit country for wildlife and wildlife products.

 “The wildlife of countries like Lao PDR is already under threat from the pressures of economic development, habitat loss and climate change, making it vitally important that we end the illegal activities and help ensure the survival of endangered species, said Mr Patchamuthu Illangovan, World Bank Country Manager for Laos. “The trade of wildlife is illegal in Lao PDR and punishable by law”, he reminded.

The Lao Wildlife Campaign is a joint initiative of the Government of Lao PDR, ElefantAsia, the Free the Bears Fund, the Freeland Foundation, Green Discovery Laos, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Save the Tiger Fund, the Sustainable Forestry and Rural Development (SUFORD) Project, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the World Bank, and corporate sponsors Tiger Beer, Tigo Lao, Nam Theun 2 Power Company and Theun Hinboun Power Company.

The Campaign will involve communication through billboards, posters, radio spots, television advertising, as well as interaction with visitors on site at the SEA Games. The campaign was launched at the French Cultural Center in Vientiane and included performances from local musicians.

Note to Editor:

About the Campaign for Wildlife Conservation

The Lao Illegal Wildlife Trade Action Group was established in 2009 and was initiated by the Department of Forestry ( Division of Forest Resources Conservation) and Department of Forest Inspection, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. It is the role of these agencies to guard Lao PDR’s forests and protected areas through conservation and protection of biodiversity, and prevention, detection and suppression of forest and wildlife crime. The Working Group includes representatives from government, NGOs and international organizations.

An initiative of the Working Group, the Campaign for Wildlife Conservation was launched in late November 2009, to coincide with the 25^th South East Asian Games in Vientiane.  Globally, illegal wildlife trade is the third largest illegal trade (after arms and drugs), and South East Asia is a hotspot for the trade. Lao PDR is a source, conduit and consumer country for traded wildlife.

Website: www.wildlifetradelaos.org 

About the Global Tiger Initiative (GTI)

The Global Tiger Initiative (GTI), supported by the World Bank, works with Tiger Range Countries (TRCs) and a broad coalition of international organizations such as the World Wildlife Fund, Wildlife Conservation Society, and Smithsonian Institution to bring support to the international conservation community in the implementation of urgent, high-priority actions on the ground and across borders to save the wild tiger.  GTI and Save the Tiger Fund has allocated US$15,000 to support this campaign as well as funding the on-going development of the Lao PDR’s Tiger National Action Plan.

Website: www.GlobalTigerInitiative.org