INTRODUCTION

The rugged Annamite mountain range runs north-south, parallel to Viet Nam’s coast, and forms the national border between Laos and Viet Nam. The Annamites host some spectacular and highly threatened wildlife species that exist nowhere else. The forested valleys, limestone karst hills and vertiginous mountains of the Annamites acted as an evolutionary laboratory, as refugia during the glacial periods, creating a myriad of unique life forms endemic to this mountain range. Many large mammals have been discovered in these mountains, including the saola, which in 1992 was the first large mammal described by science in over 50 years.

Characterized by mature secondary forest, patches of primary wet evergreen forest and karst vegetation, the nearly 11,000km2 of forest habitat in the Annamite range comprises one of the largest contiguous natural forested areas in continental Southeast Asia. However, these forests were severely disturbed and degraded during the Second Indochina War (also known as the Viet Nam War). Subsequently, annual monitoring of forest cover by Global Forest Watch using satellite data indicated that Viet Nam lost close to a million hectares of humid forests, or 12% of its humid forest cover in the past 20 years, much of which from the Annamite mountains, with an exceptionally high loss in the central Annamites.

Furthermore, the hunting pressure on the wildlife of the Annamites has been very high historically, threatening the survival of many endemic species. This threat has only intensified as a snaring crisis swept through Viet Nam, Laos and Cambodia, decimating populations of ground-dwelling animals. The industrial-scale snaring is

>120,000

Snares Removed From The Hue And Quang Nam Saola Nature Reserves

endemic species of the are a priceless natural and many species are yet discovered. But at the rate of illegal hunting, and deforestation, we lose them forever – some before they are discovered.

having devastating impacts on wildlife in the remaining forests of the Greater Mekong region, resulting in “empty forest syndrome” – as wildlife species decline, the ecological roles they perform are lost, leading to changes in forest structure and functions. Over 120,000 snares were removed from the Hue and Quang Nam saola nature reserves in the Annamites of Viet Nam alone between 2011 to 2019. Millions of snares are estimated to be active at any given time in the forests of Cambodia, Laos and Viet Nam, including in most parts of the Annamites.

The snaring crisis is driven mainly by the illegal wildlife trade to supply high-priced species to the wildlife meat and traditional medicine markets. Snares are easy and inexpensive to set. They kill and maim wildlife indiscriminately, killing animals with no value in the trade, along with those that can be sold for profit. Numerous animals are caught but never retrieved, left to die of dehydration, starvation or infection from their wounds.

Some animals are also captured alive, often to sell to the entertainment industry, serving as exotic “pets” or props for tourist attractions. An enormous international market for exotic pets – including primates, birds, turtles, snakes and newts – has created a dangerous profit motive for people to catch and trade these animals overseas.

In recent years, logging and deforestation have also increased, as has the demolition of karst hills for cement production, dealing yet another blow to the unique wildlife of the Annamites and pushing many species closer to extinction.

The endemic species of the Annamites are a priceless natural treasure, and many species are yet to be discovered. But at the current rate of illegal hunting, capture and deforestation, we stand to lose them forever –some even before they are discovered.

WWF and many other conservation organizations are working with governments, research institutions and local communities to protect and monitor the Annamite forest habitats and species. However, conservation efforts must be scaled up and speeded up to help the survival and recovery of the endemic species of the Annamites.

This report highlights some of the amazing endemic wildlife of the Annamites that have become endangered due to hunting and collection for wildlife trade and consumption.

New endemic being discovered northern Annamites. as new roads increase access, are being destroyed agricultural endemic species are discovered in the Annamites. However, roads and tractors access, these forests destroyed for expansion.