Lao Conservation Trust for Wildlife

Lao Conservation Trust for Wildlife is a growing NGO which was established in 2018 as the first all-species rescue center in Lao PDR. 

Our mission is to collaborate closely with key conservation stakeholders, both in Laos and internationally, to combat illegal wildlife trade through the implementation of our tailored programs outlined below. In addition, we build animal welfare and conservation capacity through engagement and outreach across Lao PDR.

• The Center 🐵 

A safe haven for long term residents, breeding endangered species and learning opportunities for visitors. Some animals are too injured or traumatized to return to the wild, making our sanctuary essential here in Laos by offering them the chance to live healthy, enriched lives with vetcare. While our goal is always for animals to be in the wild, we enable them to serve as ambassadors for their species, raising awareness among communities and schoolchildren about their vital role within the ecosystem. 

In 2024, we moved to a new site, right on the edge of one of Laos' largest national parks. This approach gave us the unique opportunity to design a conservation center from scratch and allowed us to create enclosures focused on the rehabilitation of our animals, providing them with huge, all-natural forest enclosures to allow them to adapt to wildlife. 

Our new Immersive Gibbon Enclosure, allowing gibbons to swing right over visitors heads!

• Wildlife Rescue Hotline 📞

We operate Laos’ only Wildlife Rescue Hotline, accessible free of charge. Anyone who sees wildlife in need of assistance can easily reach us by dialing 1601 or via WhatsApp and social medias. It enables us to collect vital data on wildlife trafficking—information that has never before been centralized in Laos. While not every report leads to a confiscation, each contributes to a more accurate picture of the illegal wildlife trade. These data are instrumental for the government to inform effective resource allocation, aid strategic planning, and access funding to combat wildlife trafficking in Laos.

Key figures : 862 Crimes Reported - 48 Government Actions Taken - 82 Animals Confiscated from Reports

• Rescue 🏥 

Rescuing wildlife from the illegal wildlife trade is at the heart of our mission. Rescue involves responding to animals caught in the illegal wildlife trade or in distress. Our team works to save these animals. We provide immediate care, give them a chance at rehabilitation and, ultimately, a return to the wild. Rescue missions are costly. We must cover essential expenses like medical supplies, fuel, rescue equipment, government support, accommodations and food for our dedicated team on multi-day rescues. 

Despite our big move, we have been busier than ever with rescues, and have already taken in 4 new gibbons this year - all thought to be the Critically Endangered Northern White-Cheeked Gibbon. Our funds have now ran out to build any new enclosures, and our current enclosures are full. We want to continue to be able to rescue any gibbon in need within Laos, but to do that, we need your help!

 

Key figures : 426 Animals Rescued - 346 Animals Released - 389 Animals at LCTW

• Rehabilitation 🍃

Rehabilitation is a complex process of providing rescued wildlife with the care, treatment, and re-wilding necessary for recovery and eventual release. It involves everything from de-habituation to relearning essential survival skills. Our goal is to ensure they are fully prepared for a successful return to their natural habitats. Rehabilitation is often not a linear process. Some species, whose behaviors are more instinct-driven, may adjust relatively quickly. However, others, such as gibbons, often become highly habituated to humans, requiring months or even years of intensive reconditioning before they’re ready for release. Our four brand new, custom designed enclosures are each around 80m2, and act as perfect "soft release" enclosures, enabling our gibbons to fully display all of their natural behaviors, including brachiating, foraging and socializing.

One of our gibbons swinging freely in their new pre-release enclosures, overlooking big buddha

• Release 🎊 

Our goal is to ensure each animal is healthy and ready to thrive in the wild, giving them a second chance at life. Before each release, we carefully research locations where existing populations of these animals are found. We prioritize areas with strong protection measures, knowing that while there is always a risk of recapture, the chance for these animals to breed and contribute to their species survival in the wild is invaluable. 

We are also preparing to undertake pioneering reintroduction projects for Northern white-cheeked gibbons.  

We firmly believe that our efforts are making a tangible difference for the future of wildlife conservation in Laos, and we would be grateful for your assistance in amplifying this impact.

We sincerely thank you in advance for the attention and consideration given to our project.

🐒Support Gibbons🐒

 

Ped Noi & Sunny Day