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Using conservation landscapes to build

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Using Conservation Landscapes
to Build Conceptual Models for the
Nam Kading National Protected Area Landscape
By Arlyne Johnson, Soulisak Vannalath, Chris Hallam

and Phouthong Sisavath
Based on results from a workshop held at

That Van Fong Research Center, Nam Kading National
Protected Area, Bolikhamxay Province, Lao PDR
10-13th November 2006
Integrated Ecosystem and Wildlife Management Project

Building Conceptual Models for the Nam Kading Landscape Page 2 of 43
Cover Illustration: District staff from Pakading, Viengthong, Khamkheud

and Bolikhan districts and IEWMP staff use a map of the
conservation landscape of Eurasian wild pig to build a
conceptual model for the species in the Nam Kading
National Protected Area. Photo: Arlyne Johnson (WCS).
Citation: Johnson, A., S. Vannalath, C. Hallam, and P. Sisavath.

2006. Using conservation landscapes to build conceptual
models for the Nam Kading National Protected Area
landscape. November 2006. Integrated Ecosystem and
Wildlife Management Project and the Wildlife
Conservation Society, Vientiane.
Copies available from: Wildlife Conservation Society – Lao Program

Unit 17, Ban Sisavath, Chanthabouly District
Vientiane, Lao PDR
Tel/Fax: +856 21 215400
Email: WCS-Lao@wcs.org
Integrated Ecosystem and Wildlife Management Project

(IEWMP)
Provincial Agriculture and Forestry Office
Pakxan, Bolikhamxay
Reproduction of material from this document for

education or other non-commercial purposes is
authorized without prior permission of WCS or IEWMP,
provided that the source is acknowledged.
November 2006
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS................................................................................... 3
LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................ 4
INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................... 5
METHODS .................................................................................................. 5
RESULTS.................................................................................................... 7
Step 1. Review the selection and use of landscape species and conceptual
models in the strategic planning process ..................................................... 7
Step 2. Define the site ............................................................................. 7
Step 3. State the goal of the project .......................................................... 8
Step 4. Build the conceptual model for each landscape species ..................... 8
4.1 White Cheeked Crested Gibbon (Nomascus leucogenys) ....................... 8
4.2 Great Hornbill (Buceros bicornis) .................................................... 13
4.3 Asian Elephant (Elephas maximas) ................................................. 18
4.4 Tiger (Panthera tigris) ................................................................... 23
4.5 Southern Serow (Naemorhedus sumatraensis) ................................. 29
4.6 Eurasian Wild Pig (Sus scrofa)........................................................ 33
Step 5. For the enforcement intervention, prioritize the location and timing of
activities in the Nam Kading NPA.............................................................. 38
REFERENCES ............................................................................................ 40
Annex 1. Workshop Participants ................................................................. 41
Annex 2. Conceptual Model for the Nam Kading NPA (June 2006 revision
following workshop in November 2005)........................................................ 42
November 2006
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1. Gibbon conservation landscape....................................................... 9

Figure 2. Gibbon locations past & today ......................................................... 9
Figure 3. Conceptual model for White cheeked crested gibbon ........................ 12
Figure 4. Conservation landscape for the Great Hornbill. ............................... 13
Figure 5. Hornbills in the past & today ........................................................ 14
Figure 6. Conceptual model for Great Hornbill ............................................... 17
Figure 7. Conservation landscape for the Asian Elephant. .............................. 19
Figure 8. Conceptual model for Asian elephant............................................. 22
Figure 9. Conservation landscape for the Tiger............................................. 23
Figure 10: Tiger territories . ....................................................................... 24
Figure 11. Areas that may harbor tigers ....................................................... 25
Figure 12. Conceptual model for Tiger ......................................................... 28
Figure 13. Serow conservation landscape .................................................... 29
Figure 14. Serow in the past & today .......................................................... 30
Figure 15. Conceptual model for Southern Serow .......................................... 32
Figure 16. Wild pig conservation landscape................................................... 33
Figure 17. Estimated areas of expanding or declining pig populations .............. 34
Figure 18. Conceptual model for Eurasian wild pig. ........................................ 37
Figure 19. Zones for patrolling in the Nam Kading NPA ................................. 38
November 2006
INTRODUCTION
The Landscape Species Approach is a strategic planning process that guides

wildlife management within large landscapes of human influence (Sanderson et
al., 2002). Landscape Species have five characteristics: they range over large
areas, use a variety of habitat types, are especially vulnerable to threats in the
landscape (such as over harvest or habitat loss), are socio-economically
important, and have a strong ecological function in the natural ecosystem (e.g.
seed disperser, top predator) (Coppolillo et al., 2004). The six species identified
as Landscape Species for Bolikhamxay by the Integrated Ecosystem and Wildlife
Management Project (IEWMP) in March 2006 are Asian elephant (Elephas
maximus), tiger (Panthera tigris), southern serow (Naemorhedus sumatraensis),
Eurasian wild pig (Sus scrofa), white-cheeked crested gibbon (Nomascus
leucogenys), and the great hornbill (Buceros bicornis) (Strindberg, 2006). From
March to November 2006, IEWMP government staff worked with WCS to, i)
identify the best habitat for each Landscape Species (called Biological
Landscapes), ii) to show where the important human-caused threats are
occurring and how strongly they impact the species (called Threats Landscapes),
and, iii) to use the Biological and Threats Landscapes to create Conservation
Landscapes. The Conservation Landscapes for Bolikhamxay Province identify the
areas of the landscape that are a management priority for the species (Bryja,
2006).
This workshop was the sixth biodiversity conservation strategy meeting for the
Integrated Ecosystem and Wildlife Management Project. The aim of this
workshop was to use the Conservation Landscapes maps to formulate
conservation plans for each of the Landscape Species in and around the Nam
Kading NPA in the Bolikhamxay landscape. The specific objectives of the
workshop were:
1. To use the Conservation Landscapes for six species (white-cheeked crested

gibbon, Asian elephant, southern serow, tiger, Eurasian wild pig, and great
hornbill) to build a conceptual model for each landscape species.
2. To use the conceptual model for each species to determine what management
interventions to do to reduce threats to the species in the Nam Kading NPA
from 2007-2010.
METHODS
A single general conceptual model for the Nam Kading NPA was developed by the
IEWMP with district staff in November 2005 (Annex 2; Vannalath and Hedemark
2005). The purpose of this workshop in November 2006 was to develop a
detailed conceptual model for each of the six Landscape Species that represents
the Nam Kading landscape. The team that was assembled to develop the
conceptual models included district government officers from Pakading, Bolikhan,
Viengthong, and Khamkheut districts, the Nam Kading Protected Area Manager
and Deputy Manager , IEWMP site staff and volunteers, and WCS staff working
with the IEWMP project (Annex 1). The methods used to develop the conceptual
models were the following:
Step 1. Review the selection and use of Landscape Species and conceptual
models in the strategic planning process
Step 2. Define the site – the area for which the conceptual model is constructed
November 2006
Step 3. State the goal (visionary, brief, general) of the project.
Step 4. Construct a conceptual model for each landscape species:
• Review the Conservation Landscape and the basic biology of the species.
• Based on the Conservation Landscape and the biology of the species, state
the conservation objective. Participants aimed to construct SMART
objectives that were S: Specific M: Measurable A: Achievable R: Realistic T:
Time-bound (Margolius and Salafsky, 1998)
• State the direct threats. We used data that resulted from the Landscape
Species selection and habitat modeling activities (Bryja, 2006; Strindberg,
2006) to define the direct threats.
• State the indirect threats. The indirect threats were identified as factors
contributing to the direct threats. To keep the exercise focused on the
reduction of the most direct threats, we specifically defined the indirect
threats as who was carrying out the actions that were leading to the direct
threat, how and for what reason.
• Design interventions (management activities) to reduce the threats.
We identified four broad categories of interventions as:
I. Enforcement (including forest patrols, market patrols, check points,

identifying and demarcating protected areas / no hunting zones, etc.)
II. Education & awareness raising (disseminating regulations,
information about location and purpose of the protected area, status
and importance of the animal, etc.)
III. Incentives (Including direct payments to people to protect an
animal, alternative income derived from tourism or wildlife research
in the NPA, etc.)
IV. Modification of livelihood practices (growing livestock forages
near villages, train farmers to protect crops from elephants,
relocating fields away from pig and elephant habitat, etc.)
Step 5. For the enforcement intervention, at the end of the workshop, the
government staff prioritized the general location and timing of enforcement
activities in the Nam Kading NPA.
5.1 Identify zones for patrolling in the Nam Kading NPA
Representatives of the four districts identified the areas of the NPA that their
district enforcement teams will be responsible for. When determining the zones
for patrolling, district officers considered not only the district boundaries but also
access and geographic features (e.g., ridges or rivers) that allowed access into
zones for patrolling in the NPA.
5.2 Prioritize enforcement activities
We put all of the cards describing enforcement activities from each of the
conceptual models on the sticky tarp and posted the completed conceptual
models for each species. Workshop participants split into four district teams and
November 2006
prioritized the implementation of enforcement activities based on three

characteristics of the threat that the enforcement was aim at reducing, i) the size
of the area affected by the threat, ii) the severity of the threat (was it having a
severe impact on the landscapes species or a minor impact), and iii) the urgency
of the threat (e.g., was it likely to extirpate one or more of the landscape species
in the immediate future).
RESULTS
Step 1. Review the selection and use of landscape species and

conceptual models in the strategic planning process
Why use landscape species?
Soulisak asked participants about why these six species were chosen. Mr.
Saming said that landscape species were important representatives of the
environment and were like an umbrella for other species and by protecting them
we can conserve other species. Mr. Manisengphet added that the species also
represent the different habitats to be managed in the landscape and some are
species of cultural importance. Soulisak reemphasized the umbrella role of the
landscape species. If we can recover populations of these species, we will likely
increase or sustain other elements of biodiversity in the landscape. Thus, this is
a strategic method for using our conservation funds efficiently and effectively. It
was agreed that each district will also use this model and method for strategic
conservation planning in their district in the future.
What is a conceptual model?

Soulisak, Michael and Keovongduene reviewed the components, including
conservation target, direct and indirect threats, and interventions, of the original
model made for the Nam Kading NPA in November 2005 with the participants
(Annex 2). They pointed out that the models to be built in this workshop will
focus our actions specifically on the landscape species in the areas of
Bolikhamxay Provincde where we are each working.
Soulisak pointed out that a conceptual model is a way of strategically looking at a

problem and formulating plans for solutions and actions. Mike added that this
allows us to take apart a problem or goal and look at how we can solve each part
to be successful in our conservation actions. This is a method used by many
organizations such as business, banks and others and not just conservation
organizations. It is also a learning tool, as it allows us to collectively create a
picture to work off and is easy to refer back to as well. Thus, a conceptual model
is a way to work as a team to incorporate everyone’s knowledge of different areas
and varying conditions of the landscape in decision-making about how to solve
the problems faced by our landscape species.
Step 2. Define the site
The IEWMP project is focused on the management of wildlife in Bolikhamxay

province through the demonstration of successful conservation planning and
wildlife management activities in and around the Nam Kading National Protected
Area.
November 2006
Step 3. State the goal of the project
When participants were asked to present their ideas about the overall goal of the
project, they raised several suggestions. Overall, everyone felt that the goal
should focus on conservation of the biodiversity of Bolikhamxay Province. Some
suggested that the goal should possibly also include sustaining the rural
livelihoods of the people, poverty alleviation, and the improvement of the
capacity of PAFO & DAFO staff. In regards to the latter point, district staff
indicated that they wanted to know exactly how to implement biodiversity
conservation in the NPA as the national protected area system has been in place
since 1993 but with no management. Others raised the point that the project
should also focus on “globally significant” biodiversity in the province. The group
then reviewed what biodiversity was found in Bolikhamxay Province that is
globally unique, such as the wildlife and plants of the Say Phou Louang mountain
range on the Lao-Vietnam border including the saola, Annamite striped rabbit,
several species of muntjacs, and the yellow pig.
At the conclusion of the discussion, the group agreed that the following goal, “To
conserve the globally significant biodiversity of Bolikhamxay province”
was appropriate and inclusive of all of the recommendations of the group.
Step 4. Build the conceptual model for each landscape species
4.1 White Cheeked Crested Gibbon (Nomascus leucogenys)
Conservation landscape and biology
Our review of the gibbon conservation landscape (Fig.1) showed that most of the
NPA still provides high quality evergreen forest habitat for gibbon but that the
majority of the area is threatened by hunting (red and orange areas overlaid
with blue circles that indicate high levels of hunting). Habitat loss as a result of
logging is also a threat along the western boundary of the NPA. The landscape
shows that only the very core of the NPA now provides high quality habitat where
the level of threat is low (green area).
In our review of gibbon biology, we discussed gibbon reproduction, dispersal, and

population viability. In general, gibbons are known to live in pairs and have one
offspring approximately every two years (Leighton, 1987). The juvenile stays
with the parents for approximately eight years before it must disperse to find a
new territory to survive. Gibbons are unlikely to cross forest gaps that are
greater than 10-20m and are unable to cross rivers.
Based on the literature, we estimated that the evergreen forest in Nam Kading
could possibly contain three family groups/ km2 with an average group size of
four individuals (Leighton, 1987; Geissmann et al., 2000). For long-term
population viability, references indicated that 125 groups is a minimum and the
ideal populations size would be at least 1250 groups (Bleisch and Jiang, 2000).
To achieve the latter would require 416km2 of ideal habitat. Based on our
landscape, we estimated that up to 80-90% of the NKD (total area of 1690km2)
may be suitable for gibbons. Theoretically, it would be possible to harbor up to
4500 groups, or around 18,000 individuals, in the NPA in the absence of all
threats.
November 2006
Figure 1. Gibbon conservation landscape (from Bryja 2006).
Conservation objective
Following the review of the conservation landscape and gibbon biology, the
participants discussed what could be done where and by when to expand gibbon
populations in the NPA. Mr. Manisengphet pointed out that there were five areas
where gibbons are still known to
exist within the NPA (see Fig. 2;
from Bryja 2006), which could
serve as source populations for
restoring gibbons in other areas
of the NPA. Figure 2 shows areas
where gibbons used to be seen
but no longer are (red polygons)
and where they currently are
present ( black polygons)
Given this, the group decided on
the following conservation
objective (Fig. 3.)
Figure 2. Gibbon locations past & today
“ A 10% increase in population of white-cheeked crested gibbons will be

achieved by 2010 within the NKD NPA.”
November 2006
Define the Threats and Interventions
Based on the landscape species selection and conservation landscapes workshops

(Strindberg 2006; Bryja 2006), the group defined Hunting and Habitat Loss as
the principle direct threats to gibbons in the NKD NPA (Fig.3).
Hunting
Who and How. District officers said that two main groups are engaged in hunting
for gibbon. These include poor villagers around the NPA that use homemade
guns and village militia that use automatic guns. In Pakading district, the
principle villages are Phonsi, Thong Namee (militia mostly), Phonengam, and
Phonekham. In Bolikhan district, the village militia know the area well as they
used to do enforcement patrols here in the past.
Why. All districts reported that gibbons are eaten for food and that the bones are
sold to Vietnam for making medicine. Traders come to the villages to buy scrap
metal and ask at the same time if there is any gibbon bone to buy. The current
price is 1kg bone/50,000 Kip (~$US5). Gibbons were previously for trade as pets
and now people will trade baby gibbons opportunistically.
Recommended interventions to control hunting
The district officers identified two principle interventions to control hunting, 1)

education & awareness-raising and 2) law enforcement. For each intervention,
they identified that the following priority of activities be implemented (Fig.3):
1. Education & awareness-raising (labeled as ‘Extension’ in the conceptual model)

• Go to the Province first and then the district to inform about the problem.
Work with small groups of leaders that have power to make sure that they
know the laws protecting gibbons.
• Talk about guns and bullets and use of firearms. Work with leaders to
address illegal selling of firearms.
• Do training specifically for hunters on laws protecting gibbons.
• Provide CITES training for Customs and officials
• Mark the boundaries of the NPA.
2. Enforcement
Implement enforcement of laws protected gibbons by:
• Regularly confiscating homemade guns from villages in and around the
NPA.
• Conducting regular and systematic forest patrols within NKD to prevent
hunting
• Establishing and manning checkpoints on major routes, including the road
to Pakbeuak village, to control wildlife trade.
Habitat Loss
District officers identified two major sources of habitat loss in the NPA that would
effect gibbons. These were, 1) Slash and burn agriculture and 2) Forest fires
(Fig. 3).
November 2006
Slash and burn
Who and Why. In Bolikhan district, this is largely Nam Tek village but also other
Hmong villages as well. In Viengthong district, Phonehom village is a resently
resettled Hmong village without land allocation. Therefore they are clearing
where they can. Na Phong village in Pakading districts is clearing forest for
agriculture primarily because they don’t have land allocated to them yet.
Forest Fire
Who and Why. Bolikhan and Viengthong districts said that forest fires occur
along the road between the villages of Pakbeuak and Nam Tek. In Pakading, fires
occur between Phonsi and Phonehom villages. The fires are primarily started by
hunters that are staying in the forest and don’t put out fires when they leave
camps. Slash and burn agriculture practices can also cause forest fires.
Recommended interventions to control habitat loss
Slash and Burn
1. Enforcement
• Enforce village land allocation regulations, especially in Nam Tek and Pak
Beuak villages in Bolikhan district. In Bolikhan district, the governor has
the papers to enforce the land allocation in Pak Beuak and Nam Tek
villages and to delineate the NPA boundary. The situation in Nam Tek
village is especially urgent and should involve the Luxemburg
Development agency (LUX) to assist.
2. Education & awareness-raising (labeled as ‘extension’ in conceptual model)

• Raise village awareness of land allocation regulations as well as MAF
regulation 0360. Work with forestry, police, and millitary to go to the
villages and transmit message through Pride campaign.
• Make a model family in the village or district as an incentive to do the right
thing regarding the law. This would be an award for a family following a
sustainable lifestyle.
• There is a new group in Vientiane called the Hmong Nature Research
Society. We should try to engage this group in working with our Hmong
communities.
• Resettlement villages practicing slash and burn will need to be taught
alternative rice farming techniques. This could be done through LUX in
Bolikhan district. The project needs to find partners in the other districts
as the IEWMP does not have the capacity to work with agriculture
extension.
Forest Fires
1. Enforcement
• Involve village committee members in fire control, especially individuals
who travel to the forest and know it well.
2. Education & awareness-raising(labeled as ‘extension’ in conceptual model)

• Remind people about forest fires using extension. A sign like in Thailand
like Fire comes. No Forest and include in extension work.
November 2006
Figure 3. Conceptual model for White cheeked crested gibbon
November 2006
4.2 Great Hornbill (Buceros bicornis)
Our review of the great hornbill conservation landscape (Fig.4) showed that most
of the NPA still provides high quality evergreen forest habitat for the hornbills but
that the majority of the area is threatened by hunting (red and orange areas
overlaid with blue circles that indicate high levels of hunting). There is also
reasonable habitat in Bolikhan district along the western boundary of the NPA in
areas of production forest but this is being degraded. The landscape shows that
only the very core of the NPA now provides high quality habitat where the level of
threat is low (green area).
Figure 4. Conservation landscape for the Great Hornbill (from Bryja

2006).
In our review of hornbill biology, we discussed reproduction, dispersal, and

population viability. Hornbills require old trees with hollows from 18-35m above
the ground for nesting (Poonswad and Kemp, 1993). They rely on natural
hollows formed by rot or other means and cannot make their own hollows. They
have a preference for large Dipterocarp trees.
Once a year, a hornbill pair will produce 2 eggs but will usually raise only one of
the chicks (Poonswad and Kemp, 1993). The female stays in the hollow while
incubating while the male must bring back food. Therefore, the hornbill is
particularly vulnerable at this time. If the male is killed while foraging, the entire
family perishes. Life span in captivity is up to 50 years.
Home range of a single hornbill pair is approximately 5km2 (500Ha) but they fly
up to 30km while foraging for fruits for food (Poonswad and Kemp, 1993). Based
on these figures, to maintain a minimum population of 125 pairs would require at
November 2006
least 60 km2. Therefore, we could possibly sustain up to 375 pairs in the NPA in
appropriate habitat and in the absence of threats. In planning for the
conservation of hornbills, we also need to consider the foraging range that
extends outside of the NPA.
Following the review of the conservation landscape and hornbill biology, the
participants discussed what could be done where and by when to expand Great
Hornbill populations in the NPA. Hornbills are still found throughout the NPA. The
district representative from Pakading pointed out that a few pairs were sited on
the rafting trip in the center of the NPA (green area in Figure 4) in December
2005 (IEWMP, 2006). Bolikhan district said that hornbills are still seen around
Nam Tek village and that they
come to eat “Mak Tao” fruits there.
He also said that villages outside
the NPA do not see hornbills often
anymore but that within the NPA
they are still seen. Figure 5 shows
areas outside the NPA where
hornbills used to be seen but no
longer are (red polygons) and
where they currently are present (
black polygons) (Fig 5.; from Bryja
2006). Given this, the group
decided on the following
conservation objective (Fig. 6.)
Figure 5. Hornbills in the past & today
“Increase Great Hornbill populations inside the NKD NPA by 35% by

2010”

(Strindberg 2006; Bryja 2006), the group defined Hunting and Habitat Loss as
the principle direct threats to hornbills in the NKD NPA (Fig.6).
Hunting
Who and How. District officers said that villagers enter the NPA to hunt hornbills
with homemade cap guns and also capture birds from the nest. Village militia
and military use automatic guns to hunt hornbills.
Why. Hornbills are hunted largely for food and some villagers use hornbill parts
for medicine. The hornbill may be kept for when people are sick and then given
away. In the past, hornbills were traded as pets and for trophies but not much
today. Bolikhan district said that a pair of hornbills lived in Pakbeuak village last
year and that they were tame and uncaged.
November 2006
Habitat Loss
Who and Why. District officers identified four type of habitat loss that is affecting
hornbills, 1) Slash and burn agriculture, 2) forest fires, 3) selective logging, and
4) harvest of fruit trees, especially Mak Tao.
The details on slash and burn agriculture and forest fires are the same as those
listed for the white-cheeked crested gibbon (see previous section).
The selective logging that is underway in Bolikhan district is in collaboration with

the SUFORD project, which is supposed to follow SMARTWOOD principles. This
involves identifying high quality biodiversity forest blocks to remain within
production forest.
Fruit trees. There are many “Mak Tao” trees along the road from Pakbeauk to
Nam Tek in Bolikhan district. Local villagers harvest the fruits from the trees.
Recommended interventions to control hunting and habitat loss
The district officers identified three principle interventions to control hunting and
habitat loss, 1) education & awareness-raising, 2) law enforcement and 3) direct
incentives connected to village livelihoods. For each intervention, they identified
that the following priority of activities be implemented (Fig.6):
1. Education & awareness-raising (labeled as ‘Extension’ in the conceptual

model)
Hunting
• Go to the Province first and then the district to inform about the problem.
know the laws protecting gibbons.
address illegal selling of firearms.
• Do training specifically for hunters on laws protecting hornbills.
Habitat Loss
• Engage with SUFORD along with villagers and Mr. Bouahong
(Keovongduene’s uncle), who is head of the SUFORD project, to ensure
that provisions for hornbills are included in the harvesting regulations.
• Tree blessings and zoning to protect nesting and fruiting trees, including
“Mak Tao” .
• Include concepts of sustainable harvest extending to NTFP’s in
conservation education messages.
2. Enforcement
• Mark hornbill trophies to assure that new ones are not acquired.
• Some houses may have trophies from long time ago. These need to be
marked as legal. IEWMP should develop a mark for trophies that states
that these are legal and are taken before laws existed.
• Regularly confiscating homemade guns from villages in and around the
NPA.
• Conducting regular and systematic forest patrols within NKD to prevent
hunting
November 2006
3. Direct Incentives
• Pay villages and “caretakers” to guard nest and fruit trees as part of the
village livelihoods program
Would need to guard over the nesting season (72-90 days). There is the
possibility of extending this model to other species or village monitoring
teams and also guarding fruiting trees. This opens possibilities for tourism
and research in the NPA. Should also map nest trees and important fruiting
areas.
November 2006
Figure 6. Conceptual model for Great Hornbill
November 2006
4.3 Asian Elephant (Elephas maximas)
Conservation landscape. Our review of the elephant conservation landscape

(Fig.7) showed that there is some habitat for elephants in the NPA but that most
of the area is too steep and not suitable for elephants (gray area). The majority
of the high quality habitat for elephants lies in and around agricultural areas
outside of the NPA but is under a high level of threat (red areas of the map). In
these red areas, elephants are in danger of coming into conflict with farmers and
their agricultural fields and possibly encountering hunting.
The black polygons on the map (Fig. 7) show areas where district officers know
that elephants still occur and clearly illustrate that today elephants have been
pushed out of the good quality areas and largely move across the landscape in
the available but somewhat marginal habitat within the Nam Kading NPA. Within
the last five years, district officers reported one group of 3-4 elephants in
Pakading district, a group of approximately eight elephants that remain north of
Phou Gnou Provincial Protected Area in Bolikhan district that pass to the Phou
Khao Khouay National Protected Area in the dry season, about six elephants near
Ban Namsanam in Khamkheud district that reportedly come from Nakai district,
and 5-6 elephants in Viengthong district near the Phou Ao mountains. District
officers suspect that many of these sightings may be of the same individual
elephants that are moving from Khamkheut to Viengthong and to Bolikhan.
Along this route several areas of human-elephant conflict were identified including
Namkok, Kengbit and Kounloum villages in Khamkeud district, Nadi village in
Viengthong district and Sisavad and Simoukhoun villages in Bolikhan district.
There are also reported threats of military disturbance to elephants traveling to
mineral licks near Tanong village in Bolikhan district.
Biology. Elephants can live to be around 60 years in the wild (Sukumar, 1992).
The females reach sexual maturity at approximately 10 years of age, males at
around 12 years. Gestation is 22 months and females can give birth every 3-4
years. Elephants need 70-90 liters of water per day and eat around 150kg of
food. They must remain in the proximity of water. The older females are
important in that they teach younger members of the group about where and how
to find critical water and food resources.
WCS studies on the Nakai Plateau, an area of 1000 km2 in adjacent Khammouan
Prvoince, found a density of 0.15 individuals/km2 in the best habitat (Hedges,
Johnson and Tyson, 2006). Estimating that the NKD NPA has approximately
400km2 of elephant habitat but possibly more marginal than that on the Nakai
Plateau, we assumed that the NPA could possibly have a density of 0.1
individuals/km2. Under these conditions, the NPA could theoretically sustain a
population of around 40 elephants. We estimated that a viable population should
have at least 20 individuals.
We do not know exactly how the elephants are using the NPA at the present time.
Do they spend only a portion of the year there? Perhaps they must venture
through and outside the park to reach the mineral licks located in Bolikhan
district, as we know know elephants must have sodium and potasium to enable
them to digest their food (Sukumar, 1992).
November 2006
Following the review of the conservation landscape and elephant biology, the
participants discussed what could be done where and by when to expand
elephant populations in the NPA. Participants suggested it may be more realistic
to have an objective that tried to maintain the current number of elephants. In
Khamkheut district, there is believed to be a group of six female elephants.
Given that there must be a way for male elephants to travel between groups,
other participants said it was important to maintain corridors for them to travel
along and not to let female groups isolated.
Keovongduene described the human-elephant conflict in Thapabaat district. He
also suggested that it may be possible in the next four years for the group of six
elephants in Khamkheut to have 2 calves. Given the current status of elephants
in the landscape, the group decided on the following conservation objective (Fig.
8)
Figure 7. Conservation landscape for the Asian Elephant (from Bryja

2006).
“By 2010 the Elephant population in and around the NKD will not
decrease”
Other participants added that this objective should also include efforts to maintain
connectivity between elephant groups in the landscape.

(Strindberg 2006; Bryja 2006), the group defined Conflict with Agriculture and
November 2006
Hunting for Ivory as the principle direct threats to elephants in the NKD NPA
(Fig.8).
Who, How and Why: District officers said that it is specialist hunters that kill
elephants with automatic guns. Villagers will also kill elephants in retribution for
crop raiding. Elephants reportedly come to villages in KhamKheut district in
December and January. Keovongduene said that in order to kill an elephant you
must have a ceremony with a specialized person. There may be only a few of
these people per province. You must do this before you can kill an elephant to
avoid bad karma. For problem elephants villagers are told to call the DAFO. If
DAFO does not repond, villagers may kill the elephant themselves.
This hunting was originally thought to be for tusks only. Later discussion
suggested it was for revenge killings also. Hunting for tusks is going mostly to
Thailand and to Vietnam. In Hoy Ngua District Protected Area, Bolikhan District,
an elephant was shot and the tusks sold for 80,000 THB. This year one domestic
elephant was killed for tusks in Bolikhan Distict. The case is unsolved. The
representative from Bolikhan assumes that in the future wild elephants will also
be killed like this. This is because there is a market in Vientiane where tusks are
sold to a Chinese company. Initially there was a plan to catch the traders over a
four-day window when it was known that the trade would take place. Cameras
were in place but the traders got wind of this and did not appear.
Recommended interventions to control Conflict with Agriculture and

Hunting for Ivory
The district officers identified three principle interventions to control hunting and
habitat loss, 1) modify livelihood practices, 2) education & awareness-raising, and
3) law enforcement. For each intervention, they identified that the following
priority of activities be implemented (Fig.8):
1. Modify livelihood practices
Conflict with Agriculture

• Study tour for farmers to NNT to view successful methods in place there.
• Re-allocate agricultural areas away from elephants
• Dissuade villagers from planting palatable crops and encourage planting of
alternate corps such as coffee, tea or chillies.
• Set up and train a DAFO human elephant response team to investigate
and monitor crop raiding complaints by farmers.
2. Education & awareness-raising (labeled as ‘Extension’ in the conceptual model)
Conflict with Agriculture and Hunting

• Provide public education on elephants and their importance
3. Enforcement
Conflict with Agriculture

• Designate elephant zones (outside of NPA) Look where elephants could go
an zone these as not to be cleared for agriculture.
Hunting
• Establish checkpoints to control trade.
November 2006
• Work with the military and villager informant network to investigate illegal
trade of elephants. The protected area enforcement teams should also be
investigating this trade.
November 2006
Figure 8. Conceptual model for Asian elephant
November 2006
4.4 Tiger (Panthera tigris)
Conservation landscape. Our review of the tiger landscape (Fig. 9) showed that
there is extensive habitat for tigers in the NPA and surrounding areas. This is
because the tiger can be found in most habitats as long as they have prey to eat.
Most of the available habitat for tigers in the NPA is under a high level of threat,
as shown by the red and orange areas in Figure 9, which are overlaid with blue
circles indicates hunting hotspots. Since hunting is widespread throughout the
landscape, tigers are highly threatened in three ways: 1) lack of food through
prey depletion, 2) poaching of tigers by specialist hunters, and 3) conflict with
people in areas where livestock graze around villages. The landscape shows that
only the very core of the NPA now provides high quality habitat where the level of
threat is low (green area).
In our review of tiger biology, we discussed reproduction, dispersal, and

population viability. Females reach sexual maturity at around 3-4 years and
males at around at 4-5 years(Sunquist and Sunquist, 2002). They live for
maximum of 18 years in the wild. Females usually have separate territories (see
Figure 10; from Karanth and Nichols, 2002), the size of which is related to
availability of prey. So when prey sources are hunted out tiger territories get
larger. This increases the likelihood of conflict with humans. Male tigers are
solitary and roam around female groups. The range of one male tiger typically
overlaps with 3-4 females with which he breeds. Females will defend their
territory.
Figure 9. Conservation landscape for the Tiger (from Bryja 2006)
November 2006
Males will come into the territory of a female to mate when the female is
receptive. The male will stay with the female for several days and copulate many
times until the female chases the male out of her territory. The male will then
defend the territory of this female and offspring from other male tigers that may
try to intrude into the area. If another male is successful in overtaking the first
male’s territory, it will kill the young that were the offspring of the previous male.
F
F
♂
♂
Figure 10: Tiger territories (F=Female tiger, ♂= Male Tigers, Circles

represent territories) (from Karanth and Nichols, 2002).
One tiger needs to eat one large (>150kg) animal every week to stay alive
(Sunquist and Sunquist, 2002). We estimated that within the range of three
females overlapping with one male we need at least 208 large prey per year to
sustain tigers. We need to also consider that the populations of large prey must
be sufficient to sustain this level of offtake by tigers. If a female tiger has
enough food she can produce 3-4 young per year. When the young are 2 years
old they must find a new territory.
With sufficient prey, we estimated that the Nam Kading NPA could potentially
support a tiger population at a density of 3 tigers/100 sq. km. Given the area of
the NPA (1,690 sq. km), it would be possible for 50 tigers to be present in the
NPA. But given that the landscape in the NPA is largely red in color (due to high
levels of hunting), we assumed that the current density of the population may be
no more than 0.5 tigers/100 sq. km. Given this, there may be less than eight
individual tigers in the NPA at the present time. If we assumed a minimum viable
population as 15 tigers, it is critical to increase the number of tigers in the NPA
November 2006
Following the review of the conservation landscape and Tiger biology, the
participants discussed what could be done where and by when to expand Tiger
populations in the NPA and to maintain corridors for dispersing tigers to pass
from the NPA to remaining forests on the Lao-Vietnam border. In Viengthong
district, villages have been moved into the areas between the Annamite
mountains and the NK NPA such that tigers are not coming into this area. Some
participants were concerned that tigers may have already disappeared from the
NPA. The district representatives from Bolikhan and Pakading felt confident that
tiger still persist in their respective districts and possibly in the mountains along
the Lao-Vietnam border (see Figure 11). In Pakading, there have been signs of
tiger around Donme village. In Bolikhan, there are reportedly still large prey, like
gaur, remaining. There are no
reports of tigers killing livestock in
Bolikhan and there is no hunting in
the district in the north part of the
NPA. Therefore, large prey remain
and tiger are present. In Bolikhan,
a track of a large tiger and a
sambar kill was found in the
production forest to the west of the
NPA. Tigers reportedly come from
the Phou Khao Khouay NPA along
the Nam Ngiap directly northwest
of Bolikhan.
Figure 11. Areas that may harbor tigers
Given this information, some participants felt optimistic that there may be
breeding females present and the tiger population could increase. Others were
less certain. The felt that prey populations in the NPA were very low and
suggested that the best we may be able to do is maintain the existing tiger
population over the next four years. But others felt that the habitat in the NPA
was very good and that prey populations and tigers could successfully be
protected so as to increase tigers by 2010. After a lengthy discussion about
increases of 0-20% over the next four years, the group decided that the objective
would be to increase the tiger population by 20% in the Nam Kading NPA by
2010.
“Objective: Increase the tiger population by 20% in NK NPA by 2010.”

(Bryja 2006), the group defined Direct Killing of Tigers and Prey Depletion as
the principle direct threats to tigers in the NKD NPA (Fig.12). District officers said
that tiger depredation of livestock and resulting conflict is not a big problem now.
In the future, this may be a problem again if tiger populations increase.
Direct killing of tigers
Who, How and Why. District officers said that tigers are killed with automatic
guns or wire snare (Vietnamese method). They said that villagers do not put
bombs inside livestock as is practiced in northern Laos (Johnson et al., 2006). In
November 2006
Nam Kading, the district officer said that hunters may put snares around tiger
kills. Manisenphet said that hunters used to use livestock as bait but they do not
do this now.
Specialized hunters are responsible for killing tigers and then take the bones and
skin to Vietnam to sell by walking across the mountains. Very few tigers are
traded to Thailand across the Mekong. Tiger poaching is part of organized crime.
It is quite difficult to know who is involved. It is not residents in the village.
Usually the hunters come from another area. Participants said that the hunter
does not request permission to be in an area, does not pass through the villages,
but simply goes into the forest.
Recommended interventions to control direct killing of tigers
The district officers identified two principle interventions to control direct killing of
tigers: 1) education & awareness-raising, and 2) law enforcement For each
intervention, they identified that the following priority of activities be
implemented (Fig.12):
1. Enforcement
• Establish checkpoints. This will not catch most things but maintains
presence of authority in an area. Also work around the area with a
mobile unit and not only at the checkpoint.
• Village committee and informant network. Establish village informant in
target villages to monitor hunters coming into the area. Establish a
network of informants – ranging from 1-3 people in a village. Soulisak said
that one informant per village is working well in Vientiane Municipality.
• Forest patrols to destroy snares.

model)
• Make a story about illegality and evils of bone trading.
• Convince buyers that Viagra is better!
• Discuss more details later.
Prey Depletion (Hunting of tiger prey)
Who, How and Why. District officers said tiger prey are killed with automatic
weapons, wire snares, and cap guns. There are three types of hunts: 1) Hunters
from villages, 2) Military hunting for food or trade, and 3)Village militia. The prey
are hunted largely for food and for sale. Some prey species are hunt for
medicine, including serow, gaur, and sambar for their bones and antlers. The
prey are sold in the markets in the province and are also sold to wealthy people
in Vientiane. They are primarily sold in country and not traded to neighboring
countries. There are lots of middlemen along the way. A lot of the items in the
Hmong market near the post office in Vientiane is coming from the Nam Kading
NPA.
Recommended interventions to reduce prey depletion

The district officers identified two principle interventions to control prey depletion
(killing of tiger prey): 1) education & awareness-raising, and 2) law enforcement
For each intervention, they identified that the following priority of activities be
implemented (Fig.12):
November 2006
1. Enforcement
• Gun collection
• Establish check points
• Pick up snares on forest patrols
• Police stop wildlife trade in markets; comprehensively not just periodically.
Already have support of provincial governor and regulations controlling
trade. But there are lots of naughty people. Need more support for
enforcement. For example, support fuel of their motorbikes to gather
information and patrol.

model)
• With military and militia about use of guns for hunting.
November 2006
Figure 12. Conceptual model for Tiger
November 2006
4.5 Southern Serow (Naemorhedus sumatraensis)
The serow is an important prey species for tiger in the park. Our review of the
serow conservation landscape (Fig.13; Bryjia 2006) showed that most of the NPA
is steep and rocky, which constitutes high quality habitat for the serow. But,
most of this habitat within and around the NPA is threatened by hunting (red and
orange areas overlaid with blue circles that indicate high levels of hunting). The
landscape shows that only the very core of the NPA now provides high quality
habitat where the level of threat is low (green area).
Figure 13. Serow conservation landscape (from Bryja 2006).
In our review of serow life history, we discussed abundance and reproduction.

Serow occur in groups ranging from 2-10 individuals(Nowak, 1991; IUCN, 1997).
Not much is known about the age of reproduction and other characteristics of
their life history. In Nam Kading, the Bolikhan district officer said that there used
to be many serow and that they were always found on cliffs and rocky areas. He
said that local hunters know the behaviour of serow well and use this to predict
where serow go to drink water, where they can be easily killed. Soulisak said
that on the Bolivan Plateau in southern Laos, they observed serow coming to eat
the shoots of young trees, which is consistent with the literature stating that
serow eat grass, shoots, and new leaves. Studies on the abundance of serow
from Sumatra, Indonesia estimate a density of 0.5 individuals/km2 (IUCN, 1997).
Workshop participants felt that this estimate may represent the current biological
landscape but was too low to represent historical levels of serow in the Nam
Kading. They suggested that we use a historical density estimate of 5
individuals/km2 in our analysis.
November 2006
Based on our landscape and a total NPA area of 1690km2, participants thought
that historical levels of serow may have been as high as 8,500 individuals in the
NPA in the absence of all threats. This would have provided considerable prey for
tigers. Participants felt that the current population in the NPA could be as low as
900 individuals of serow, which would not be enough to support a minimum
viable population of tigers in the NPA.
Following the review of the conservation landscape and serow biology, the
participants discussed what could be done where and by when to expand serow
populations in the NPA. Figure 14 shows areas where serow used to be seen but
no longer are (red polygons) and where they currently are present ( black
polygons) (Fig 14.; from Bryja
2006). Workshop participants felt
that it may be relatively easy to
raise serow populations in the NPA
as they assumed that serow have
relatively high fecundity and that
the population faces one key threat
– hunting, and that serow remain
hard to hunt in the NPA because of
the steep terrain. Given this, the
group decided on the following
conservation objective (Fig. 15.)
Figure 14. Serow in the past & today
“ A 50% increase in population of southern serow will be achieved by

2010 within the NKD NPA.”

(Bryja 2006), the group defined Hunting as the principle direct threats to serow
in the NKD NPA (Fig. 15).
Hunting
Who and How. District officers said that local villagers are primarily engaged in
hunting for serow because they know the cliffs well and methods for hunting in
this difficult terrain. Military officers do not know this information as well. The
villagers around the NPA that use both homemade cap guns and automatic guns
loaned from village militia to hunt serow.
Why. All districts reported that serow is eaten for food and that all parts of the
serow are also used and sold as medicine. The serow parts are used for medicine
by the villagers that hunt the serow and the remaining parts are sold to
middlemen who sell them in domestic markets all over Laos. Participants felt that
there is very little international trade of serow.
November 2006
The district officers identified two principle interventions to control hunting, 1)

education & awareness-raising and 2) law enforcement. For each intervention,
they identified that the following priority of activities be implemented (Fig.15):

model)
• Go to the Province first and then the district to inform about the problem
of illegal hunting of serow, which is a Category 1 – Prohibited Species.
know the laws protecting serow and prohibited trade of serow.
address illegal selling of firearms and the illegal trade of serow.
• Do training specifically for hunters on laws protecting serow and the
illegality of trade in serow.
• Raise awareness of market vendors and buyers about the illegality of trade
in serow.
2. Enforcement
Implement enforcement of laws protected gibbons by:
• Conduct regular and systematic forest patrols within NKD to destroy
snares and camps and to prevent hunting
• Conduct regular patrols in markets where wildlife is traded in Bolikhamxay
Province to discourage sale of serow parts.
• Regularly confiscate homemade guns from villages in and around the NPA.
November 2006
Figure 15. Conceptual model for Southern Serow
November 2006
4.6 Eurasian Wild Pig (Sus scrofa)
The wild pig is both an important prey species for tiger in the park and is also hunted as
a subsistence food source by villagers living in and around the NPA. Our review of the
wild pig conservation landscape (Fig. 16; Bryjia 2006) showed that most (~75%) of the
landscape inside the park provides high quality habitat for the wild pig. The model
indicates that wild pig faces the greatest threat of hunting in the proximity of agricultural
fields and villages outside of the park. The habitat within easily accessible areas of the
park is threatened by hunting to some degree (red and orange areas) and only the very
core of the NPA now provides high quality habitat where the level of threat is low (green
area). This strategy discusses Eurasian wild pig (Sus scrofa) although it is recognized
that another wild pig species, Sus buccalentas, also occurs in parts of this landscape and
likely faces similar threats as the Eurasian wild pig.
In our review of the life history of Eurasian wild pig, we discussed abundance and
reproduction. The literature states that wild pig reaches sexual maturity at six months
but does not breed until 18 months of age (Lekagul and McNeely, 1977; Nowak, 1991).
Males are generally not able to successfully compete for females until they are
approximately five years old. The reported average life span in the wild is ten years.
Females travel in groups while males are solitary and occasionally visiting groups. Each
female can have up to eight piglets per year, although usually only 50% survive to
maturity due to illness or depredation. Gestation is 115 days.
Figure 16. Wild pig conservation landscape (from Bryja 2006).
November 2006
In the absence of threats, wild pig is reported to reach densities of 15-20

individuals/km2. Given the reported intensity of hunting in the NPA, workshop
participants speculated that densities in the Nam Kading may be reduced to 2-4
individuals/km2. Participants said they still see many tracks of wild pig in some places in
the NPA. Based on this, the group agreed to use 4 individuals/ km2 as the estimate of
wild pig density in the current landscape.
Given a total NPA area of 1690km2 and an estimate that ~75% of the habitat as suitable
for wild pig, participants speculated that the current population of wild pig in the NPA
may be as high as 5,000 individuals, which would make this species the most abundant
large prey item for tigers in the NPA.
Following the review of the conservation landscape and wild pig biology, the participants
discussed what could be done where and by when to expand pig populations in the NPA.
District officers identified areas of
noticeable population decline (red
polygons) and growth (black polygons)
over the past 5 years (Fig. 17; from Bryja
2006). Overall, however, they felt that
wild pigs are still widespread throughout
the landscape but under increasing
pressure from hunting. Given the
fecundity of pigs, the workshop
participants felt that it may be relatively
easy to increase pig populations if they
worked effectively to reduce hunting in the
NPA. Given this, the group decided on the
following conservation objective (Fig. 18.)
Figure 17. Estimated areas of expanding or declining pig populations
“ A 100% increase in population of Eurasian wild pig will be achieved by the

end of 2010 within the NKD NPA.”

(Strindberg 2006; Bryja 2006), the group defined Hunting and Agricultural Conflict
as the principle direct threats to Eurasian wild pig in the NKD NPA (Fig. 18).
Hunting
Who and How. District officers said that local villagers, village militia and military
officers are actively hunting for wild pig. The local villagers use cap guns and snares and
the militia and military use semi-automatic guns.
Why. All districts reported that wild pig is eaten for food by both villagers and the
military. Military officers in camps do not receive food rations. Thus, they are given
permission to hunt for wild pigs and deer for food in the surrounding forests. Wild pig is
also widely traded to middlemen for sale in domestic markets.
November 2006
According to the Forestry Law (1996) and MAF Regulations 0360 (2003), wild pig is not
protected as a Category 2 – Managed Species. Thus, it is legal for villagers to both hunt
and trade wild pig outside of NPA core zones.
The district officers identified two principle interventions to impose controls on the
hunting and trade of wild pigs, 1) education & awareness-raising and 2) law
enforcement. For each intervention, they identified that the following priority of
activities be implemented (Fig. 18):
1. Education & awareness-raising(labeled as ‘Extension’ in the conceptual model)

• Go to the Province first and then the district to inform about the problem of over-
hunting and trade of wild pig. Work with small groups of leaders that have power
to make sure that they strengthen provincial laws and designate wild pig as a
Category 2 species, which would prohibit trade of wild pig.
• Talk about guns and bullets and use of firearms. Work with leaders to address
illegal selling of firearms.
• Do training specifically for hunters about laws prohibited hunting of wild pig in the
NPA core zone.
• Do training for market vendors and buyers if laws are enacted to protect wild pig
from hunting in the NPA and from trade.
• District officers discussed what to do with the confiscated meat if sale of wild pig
was made illegal. A reference was made to the Vientiane Capital City Wildlife
Trade project, which burns confiscated meat publicly. District officer agreed that
it would be useful to take a study tour to Vientiane to observe the methods being
used to do market patrols, confiscation and disposal of illegally traded wildlife.
2. Enforcement
Implement laws protecting Eurasian wild pig by:
• Mark the boundaries of the NPA and the NPA core zone. Mr. Keovongduene
suggested that the entire NPA should be demarcated as a core zone, which would
protect wild pig from hunting in the NPA.
• Conduct regular and systematic forest patrols within NKD core zone to destroy
snares and confiscate firearms to prevent hunting.
• Conduct regular patrols in markets where wildlife is traded in Bolikhamxay
Province if trade in wild pig is designated as illegal.
• Establish and man checkpoints on major routes, including the road to Pakbeuak
village, to control wildlife trade.
• Regularly confiscate homemade guns from villages in and around the NPA.
• Establish an informant network in villages around the NPA and in markets in the
province to identify illegal hunting, an potentially trade, of wild pig.
Agricultural Conflict
Who, How and Why. District officers said that local villagers snare and shoot pigs with
cap guns or semi-automatic guns when pigs range into agricultural fields near villages to
eat crops.
November 2006
Recommended interventions to control agricultural conflict
The district officers recommended that hunting of pigs in agricultural fields outside of the
NPA should continue to be allowed, as it currently is under Lao law. Some participants
pointed out that one of the problems with this is the people may hunt in the NPA and say
that the pigs were harvested from agricultural fields.
The officers identified two principle interventions to control agricultural conflict, 1)

education & awareness-raising and 2) law enforcement. The interventions were the
same as those identified for hunting (see above section; Figure 18)
November 2006
Figure 18. Conceptual model for Eurasian wild pig.
November 2006
Step 5. For the enforcement intervention, prioritize the location and

timing of activities in the Nam Kading NPA.
Based on the results from the conceptual modeling, the workshop participants identified
the following details on where and when enforcement activities should be implemented.
Step 5.1 Identify zones for patrolling in the Nam Kading NPA
Pakading and Khamkheut districts. These two districts will join together. There will form
two groups starting from Kengbit village in the south end of the NPA.
Group 1: Kengbit village to Tad Vang Fong waterfall, and to Hueay Sai river until
Heuayleuk village. The team will use boat for most of the time.
Group 2: Kengbit village to Sai Phou Ao ridge and to the Nam Muan river and then up to
Phou Jom Nyuk mountain to Nam Tek river and to Hueay Sai river.
Vienthong and Bolikhan districts. These two districts will give the details of their
patrolling zones later.
Figure 19. Zones for patrolling in the Nam Kading NPA
Step 5.2. Prioritize enforcement activities
Each district presented suggestions about how to prioritize the enforcement activities.
After review and discussion of all suggestions, the following list of priorities was
established for all districts:
1. Form, equip and train enforcement teams for each district to patrol in the NPA
forest and in the district markets.
November 2006
2. Strengthen regulations and laws regarding wildlife trade in the province.

3. Implement patrols in the forest, markets and along trade routes. This will include
collection of guns and snares in the forest and guns in villages.
4. Demarcate the boundary of the NPA and zones within the NPA.
5. Create permanent and mobile checkpoints to control illegal wildlife trade.
6. Study tour to learn from other enforcement teams
7. Establish village informant network
For ease of logistics, teams emphasized that they should be able to work across district
boundaries. Once teams have been trained, they will be responsible for their own work
plans. There was considerable debate about the effectiveness of checkpoints along
roads to control wildlife trade. The group also discussed the feasibility of forming and
training two types of patrol teams – one to undertake forest patrols in the NPA and the
other to regularly patrol in district markets.
At the conservation landscapes meeting from November 1-3, 2006, district officers
identified the following hot spots for hunting and trading wildlife from the four districts:
1. Pakading
• Tong Nam Mi market. Wildlife supplied by Na Hin and Na Bouey villages, that
cross the mountains to hunt along the Houey Basong and the Nam An.
• Nam Tong market. Wildlife supplied by Nam Pong village from the Phou Phaphet
mountains.
• Phonsi market. Wildlife supplied by Phonsi village from old Donme village site
inside NPA and by Nam Tek and Talibat villages.
• Sales of wildlife along the road. Wildlife supplied by Nam Gnoung and Nadi
villages from hunting along the Nam Mouang.
2. Khamkheud
• Nong Kok market. Wildlife supplied by Nadi village (Viengthong district) from
hunting in three areas around and along the Nam Kading river. Also Phou Lou
and Na Khum villages from hunting in steep mountains south of the village.
• Lak Xao market. Wildlife coming from many areas all around Lak Xao.
3. Viengthong
• Only small markets in Viengthong. Villages sell wildlife along the roads.
• Takes 2-3 hours to get to hunting areas. Travel along the Nam Mouang by boat.
Middlemen based in Nam Nyad village. Holding area for wildlife in Nam Yang
village and then again in Nam Kan village. Then transfer wildlife to the road and
on to Lak Xao markets. Hunting is largely in the dry season as difficult to travel
by road in the rainy season.
4. Bolikhan
• More common animals, squirrels and pigs, are sold in Bolikhan market. Larger
rarer animals transported to Vientiane or Thailand for sale.
• Hunting to supply markets from the Nam Sa and Phou Ma Tow. Pak Buak village
hunting along the Nam Suan Noi. All villages west of the Phou Heo mountains
travel east into Phou Heo to hunt for sale. Wildlife is loaded boats on the Nam
Xan river close to Paksan or are taken out by road to Viengthong district and then
to Lak Xao in Khamkheud district.
It was agreed that the next step after this workshop was for each district officer to give
a presentation to their supervisor and other district authorities to explain the outcome of
mapping the conservation landscapes and the development of the conceptual models for
each landscape species.
November 2006
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Societies: 135-145. Smuts, B. B., Cheney, D. L., Seyfarth, R. M., Wrangham,
R. W. and Struhsaker, T. T. (Eds.). Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.
Lekagul, B. and McNeely, J. A. (1977). Mammals of Thailand. Bangkok:
Association for the Conservation of Wildlife.
Margolius, R. and Salafsky, N. (1998). Measures of success: designing,
managing and monitoring conservation and development projects.
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Baltimore: The John Hopkins University Press.
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Hornbills. Bangkok, Thailand: Maihidol University.
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(2002). A conceptual model for conservation planning based on landscape
species requirements. Landscape and Urban Planning 58: 41-56.
Strindberg, S. (2006). Landscape Species Selection for the Nam Kading
Landscape. 34. Vientiane: Wildlife Conservation Society.
Sukumar, R. (1992). The Asian Elephant: Ecology and management. Cambridge:
University Press.
Sunquist, M. and Sunquist, F. (2002). Wild cats of the world. Chicago: University
of Chicago Press.
November 2006
Annex 1. Workshop Participants
Name Organisation Role

Mr.Mike Hedemark WCS IEWMP CTA
Dr.Arlyne Johnson WCS IEWMP TA
Mr. Soulisak WCS Education Advisor
Vanalath
Mr. Chris Hallam WCS IEWMP Site Coordinator
Mr. Phouthone WCS IEWMP Project Assistant
Sisavath
Mr. Keovongduene IEWMP Nam Kading NPA Manager
Mr. Manisangphet IEWMP Nam Kading NPA, Deputy Manager
Mr. Saming IEWMP Khamkeurt District
Mr. Somsavath IEWMP Viengthong District
Mr. Soulinya IEWMP Bolikhan District
Mr. Phailavanh IEWMP Pakading District
Mr. Pianxai IEWMP Research Center
Mr. Somphet IEWMP Research Center
Mr. Sisoungkham IEWMP Volunteer
Mr. Phonekham IEWMP Volunteer
Mr. Phouwaan IEWMP Volunteer
Mr. Soulivanh IEWMP Volunteer
November 2006
Annex 2. Conceptual Model for the Nam Kading NPA (June 2006 revision following workshop in November
2005)
Interventions Indirect Threats Direct Threats Conservation Target
Cooperate with developers to Need for national

Dam construction
mitigate impacts income
m2 m1
Build education team / Ineffective education
Lack of cropland Road construction Landscape Species
improve methods methods
m3 Tiger
m7
Overharvest for
Support tourism Lack of education Lack of bushmeat Food shortage Serow
subsistence
Wild pig
Initate alternative livelihood Joblessness Slash and burn Catfish
Elephant
m5 m4
Initiate village development Lack of alternative
Lack of money Trade wildlife Overharvest for trade White-cheeked Gibbon
fund income
Great Hornbill
Land use planning Illegal logging
Lack of ownership
m8
Build patrol team and Lack of understanding Disobey rules &
Overharvest of NTFPs
strengthen enforcement NPA regulations
Monitoring & evaluation Lack of information

m6
Provide management Ineffective NPA
Lack of equipment mX = monitored
equipment management
put cursor over cell to
Capacity building Lack of skilled staff see method
m9
Lack of budget
Strengthen village rules &
Greed
implementation
Strengthen GoL regulations &

Cultural practices
implementation
Pop growth
Family planning
November 2006
November 2006

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Using conservation landscapes to build

Book · January 2006

Arlyne A.H. Johnson Christopher D. Hallam

SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE

to Build Conceptual Models for the

Nam Kading National Protected Area Landscape

By Arlyne Johnson, Soulisak Vannalath, Chris Hallam

Based on results from a workshop held at

Integrated Ecosystem and Wildlife Management Project

Cover Illustration: District staff from Pakading, Viengthong, Khamkheud

Citation: Johnson, A., S. Vannalath, C. Hallam, and P. Sisavath.

Copies available from: Wildlife Conservation Society – Lao Program

Integrated Ecosystem and Wildlife Management Project

Reproduction of material from this document for

Figure 1. Gibbon conservation landscape....................................................... 9

The Landscape Species Approach is a strategic planning process that guides

1. To use the Conservation Landscapes for six species (white-cheeked crested

Step 3. State the goal (visionary, brief, general) of the project.

Step 4. Construct a conceptual model for each landscape species:

• Design interventions (management activities) to reduce the threats.

We identified four broad categories of interventions as:

I. Enforcement (including forest patrols, market patrols, check points,

5.1 Identify zones for patrolling in the Nam Kading NPA

5.2 Prioritize enforcement activities

prioritized the implementation of enforcement activities based on three

Step 1. Review the selection and use of landscape species and

Why use landscape species?

What is a conceptual model?

Soulisak pointed out that a conceptual model is a way of strategically looking at a

Step 2. Define the site

The IEWMP project is focused on the management of wildlife in Bolikhamxay

Step 3. State the goal of the project

Step 4. Build the conceptual model for each landscape species

4.1 White Cheeked Crested Gibbon (Nomascus leucogenys)

Conservation landscape and biology

In our review of gibbon biology, we discussed gibbon reproduction, dispersal, and

Figure 1. Gibbon conservation landscape (from Bryja 2006).

Figure 2. Gibbon locations past & today

“ A 10% increase in population of white-cheeked crested gibbons will be

Define the Threats and Interventions

Based on the landscape species selection and conservation landscapes workshops

Recommended interventions to control hunting

The district officers identified two principle interventions to control hunting, 1)

1. Education & awareness-raising (labeled as ‘Extension’ in the conceptual model)

Slash and burn

Recommended interventions to control habitat loss

Slash and Burn

2. Education & awareness-raising (labeled as ‘extension’ in conceptual model)

2. Education & awareness-raising(labeled as ‘extension’ in conceptual model)

Figure 3. Conceptual model for White cheeked crested gibbon

4.2 Great Hornbill (Buceros bicornis)

Conservation landscape and biology

Figure 4. Conservation landscape for the Great Hornbill (from Bryja

In our review of hornbill biology, we discussed reproduction, dispersal, and

“Increase Great Hornbill populations inside the NKD NPA by 35% by

Define the Threats and Interventions

Based on the landscape species selection and conservation landscapes workshops

The selective logging that is underway in Bolikhan district is in collaboration with

Recommended interventions to control hunting and habitat loss

1. Education & awareness-raising (labeled as ‘Extension’ in the conceptual

Figure 6. Conceptual model for Great Hornbill

4.3 Asian Elephant (Elephas maximas)