Priority Landscapes in Indochina

Lower Mekong Forests - Cambodia, Lao PDR, Vietnam

The Indochinese tiger has all but disappeared in many parts of Vietnam and Cambodia, and in some areas of Lao PDR. Incorporating important parts of two Global 200 Ecoregions, the Central Indochina Dry Forests and the Greater Annamites, and overlapping with the AREAS Tri-Border Landscape, the Lower Mekong forests are a mix of lowland and highland tropical deciduous, semi-evergreen and evergreen formations.

Both tiger and prey densities are generally low due to intensive hunting and weak law enforcement in the region over past decades. Habitat fragmentation is a serious problem, especially in Vietnam.

Securing tiger habitats in the area
Recognising these constraints, WWF has identified core areas and corridors for protecting and monitoring tiger and other key species; however, there is also an urgent need for evaluation and mapping work in Lao PDR, where tiger presence is confirmed throughout the country.

Tiger-oriented projects are working with the Ecoregional programme and government partners to strengthen management of key protected areas in the landscape, especially improving law enforcement to reduce poaching and trade. and sustainable forest resource management. However, there remains a need for awareness-raising and training among local communities.