Cross-border poaching, illegal logging and the potential of major road construction threaten Laos’ wildlife and life-sustaining habitat. Here, the humid evergreen forests of Southeast Asia’s Annamite Mountains shelter thousands of species of plants and animals, including some of the rarest on Earth.

Populations of many species are declining, including the Large-antlered Muntjac, Sunda Pangolin, Chinese Pangolin, Vietnamese Crested Argus and the Big-headed Turtle. Laos is also home to the elusive, Critically Endangered Saola, known as the “Asian Unicorn.” Due to the scarcity of the species, it is difficult for scientists to estimate population numbers, but based on reported sightings, it is likely that no more than a few hundred remain.

Rainforest Trust and our partner, Wildlife Conservation Society, are working to safeguard 151,428 acres in Laos. The proposed Eastern Bolikhamxay Mountains National Protected Area will encompass the southern half of the Eastern Bolikhamxay Mountains and include the headwaters of the Nam Chat and Nam Pan rivers.

Protect Primates from Poaching

The project area shelters Northern White-cheeked Gibbon, a primate that is extinct in China and declining in Vietnam’s protected areas due to hunting for the pet trade, medicine and local consumption. Its largest remaining population lives in Laos. The colorful Red-shanked Douc Langur, endemic to the Annamite Mountain range, is also threatened by hunting.

Save a Unique, Carbon-Rich Ecosystem

With its long rainy season—lasting up to 10 months a year—the wet evergreen forest of the Nam Chat-Nam Pan region is a globally significant terrestrial habitat supporting exceptionally high plant endemism. The proposed project area stores more than 20.8 million metric tons of CO₂ equivalents, comparable to the emissions from nearly 4.5 million gas-powered passenger vehicles driven for one year.