Project Summary:
Lao PDR has a rich wealth of biodiversity, which is declining due to deforestation, habitat destruction and poaching for the wildlife black market. Its geographical location makes Laos an important transit and source country for wildlife illegally trafficked by cross-border syndicates from as far away as Indonesia to China.
It is also a member of the ASEAN-WEN. However, awareness amongst Lao officials of illegal wildlife trafficking in Lao PDR remains low.
The Seminar had the following objectives:
- 1)Build on the recent interest in wildlife trafficking enforcement
- 2)Brainstorm on Laos-specific issues
- 3)Disseminate information to all agencies and levels
- 4)Create a launching pad for more targeted enforcement action
- 5)Gain Consensus on Mandates and Roles of various agencies
Project outcome:
The Symposium took place in March 24th and 25th 2010and was a resounding success, bringing together over 100 government agencies representative and wildlife experts.
The conference was aimed at sensitizing senior Laos officials from various government agencies to wildlife crime enforcement issues, and clarifying wildlife related laws to improve the Laos enforcement response to illegal wildlife trafficking within its borders. It also aimed to encourage senior officials to see how their country fits into the larger international wildlife trafficking network.
The outcome of the seminar was the following:
- Increased awareness of wildlife crime and ASEAN-WEN
- Clarification on how Lao-WEN can become a working reality
- Definition of the on-the-ground/in practice roles and coordination of DoGI, DoF and NPAS in terms of wildlife law enforcement.
- Information that will be timely to feed into the new NPA Regulations being developed at that time of year.
- Clarity on the new Wildlife Law and supplementary/provincial decrees, and who has authority under it.
- Foster better sharing of information and wildlife crime data
- A gap analysis and statement of needs towards tackling wildlife crime
Overall the meeting was a great success, it provided an excellent forum to discuss some of the issues and confusion with the new wildlife law and a working group for the establishment of Lao-WEN (as part of the greater ASEAN-WEN network) is now underway.
Following the seminar that week, 5 bear cubs were rescued and brought to the Free The Bears sanctuary to be looked after, which was an all time high in terms of numbers.
Start Date
March 2010
Completion date
March 2010