Last chance to be saved: A collaborative effort to protect the Endangered Wolf Barb L. stiolatus in Laos

A few weeks ago we completed a 2-year pilot project titled: “Conservation Activities, Threat Analysis, and Participatory Biological Research for the Endangered and Data Poor Fish Species Luciocyprinus striolatus in Lao PDR’’. This project was a collective effort from project partners FISHBIO, Comite de Conservation avec le Laos (CCL), Association Anoulak, Nam Theun 2 Power Company (NTPC), Nakai-Nam Theun National Park Management Division (NNT NP).

Project partners are pleased to share the final Research Study Fact Sheet:

As well as the project video:

We hope that this project will inform future conservation plans for the long-term survival of the species in Laos. Project partners and sponsors will work together to pursue this work, especially in Nakai-Nam Theun National Park, which hold the largest population in the country with the best hope for its long-term survival, yet is also where it faces numerous imminent threats that could lead the species to global extinction.

Based on this pilot project, the final recommendations for the protection and conservation of wolfbarb in Nakai-Nam Theun National Park are as follows:

1. Conduct a follow-up study to understand the species’ reproductive cycle in Nakai-Nam Theun, including the identification of key locations of reproduction and spawning.
2. Set up community-based Fish Conservation Zones within the national park targeted for wolfbarb.
3. If possible, avoid the practice of catch-and-release sport fishing in Nakai-Nam Theun National Park, as this park represents the best location in the world for the long-term conservation of the species.
4. If sport fishing is unavoidable, conduct an impact assessment and define appropriate regulations prior to authorizing and promoting this practice in the park.
5. Develop community-based ecotourism to observe the species in its natural habitat. Any ecotourism projects must directly benefit the local communities and ensure their involvement in the protection of the species, notably through community-based Fish Conservation Zones.
6. Conduct awareness-raising for local authorities and local communities on the conservation value of the species.

All project partners are thankful for the financial support from:

• The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF): granted to FISHBIO as main project leader at all project sites in Laos
• The French Agency for Development (AFD) and Brot für die Welt: granted to CCL for project coordination in Oudomxay Province
• Mandai Nature and Association Française des Parcs Zoologiques (AFdPZ): granted to Association Anoulak for project coordination in Khammouan Province