Research & Article

During April 1993, a brief survey was made to examine 1) wildlife conservation near Pha Taem National Park, Ubon Ratchathani Province, 2) along the Thai-Lao border of northern Thailand especially near Nam Poui Nature Reserve in Lao PDR and cross-country wildlife trade between 3) Thailand and northern Lao PDR and 4) Thailand and southern Lao PDR. Very little wildlife is left at Pha Taem National Park and the main objective of the park is for tourism. Widespread slash-and-burn farming by highlanders and a good road built along the Thai-Lao border on the Thai side were seen near Nam Poui. It is possible that a trans-boundary park between Pha Taem and Phou Xiang Thong can be established, while a park between Nam Poui and other protected areas in Thailand is hard to visualize. Wildlife trade along the Thai-Lao border of northern Thailand was less than between Thailand and southern Lao PDR as previously reported by SRIKOSAMATARA et al. (1992), Law enforcement to prevent wildlife trade on the Lao side at Ban Mai opposite to Khong Chiam, Ubon Ratchatani Province, will help a great deal to conserve wildlife in Lao PDR. It is suggested that banteng should be listed under CITES Appendix I as the volume of the trade between Thailand and Lao PDR is very high, and their homns resemble those of kouprey which is classified as an endangered species.