Laos faces loss of large mammal species due to environmental factors

A study published in Global Ecology and Conservation indicates that the disappearance of several large mammal species in Laos could have been prevented through more effective conservation measures, continuous monitoring, and enhanced wildlife protection.

Decades of habitat destruction, infrastructure expansion, hunting, and illegal wildlife trafficking have drastically reduced biodiversity in the country. While Laos maintains extensive forest cover and a network of protected areas, many of these have become “empty forests” that lack the fundamental species necessary for ecosystem integrity.

Historically, Lao forests supported diverse populations of Asian elephants, Javan rhinos, Sumatran rhinos, Indochinese tigers, wild water buffalo, and the now-extinct kouprey. Currently, elephants are the only large mammals from this group remaining in the territory. Researchers suggest that delays in recognizing population declines and insufficient enforcement contributed to these local extinctions.