Study finds Laos has lost several large mammal species
A study published in the journal Global Ecology and Conservation says several large mammals have disappeared from Laos and that earlier conservation action could have prevented some of these losses. The species named include the Javan rhino, Sumatran rhino, Indochinese tiger, wild water buffalo and kouprey. The Javan and Sumatran rhinos were no longer present in Laos by the 1990s, and the last confirmed tiger sighting there was in 2013. The study says Laos still supports 24 distinct populations of Asian elephant. It recommends that authorities reconnect movement corridors and transboundary landscapes to help elephant recovery. Experts say the future of large mammals in the country depends on political will to enforce existing plans and secure long-term funding.
Key facts
- The study names the Javan rhino, Sumatran rhino, Indochinese tiger, wild water buffalo and kouprey as affected species.
- The study recommends reconnecting movement corridors and transboundary landscapes to aid elephant recovery.
- Experts say enforcing existing conservation plans and securing long-term funding are needed.
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Why it matters
Laos's remaining large mammal populations depend on enforcing conservation plans and securing long-term funding.
What changed
First published from Mongabay