We kick-off the 2020 camera-trap wildlife population monitoring surveys in Nakai – Nam Theun National Park

In February 2020 we started the annual camera-trapping surveys conducted in Nakai- Nam Theun National Park to monitor ground wildlife populations as part of Association Anoulak’s mission and responsibilities to advise and oversee the Biodiversity Research & Monitoring Strategy for Nakai – Nam Theun National Park. The methodology applied follows the rationale and protocols developed by the Department of Ecological Dynamics at the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife research, Berlin, Germany (Abrams et al., 2018), with whom we collaborate for long-term monitoring of wildlife at the landscape-level in the Annamites Mountains of Laos and Vietnam.

2020 marks the second systematic wildlife monitoring surveys with camera-trapping we are implementing in collaboration with the Nakai-Nam Theun National Park Authority, covering the three designated Biodiversity Priority Zones (combined, covering approximately 700 km2; Figure 1).

The first baseline data was collected in the three zones in 2018-2019. The replicated surveys in 2020 will allow us to compare population abundance indices to evaluate national park-conservation management and to inform species-specific conservation action plans (especially endemic and/or the species the most threatened of extinction in the Annamite mountains).

Figure 1: Location of camera-trap stations covering the three Biodiversity Priority Zones, replicated from surveys conducted in 2018-2019.

The main objective of these surveys is to estimate trends in animal populations (monitoring) over time and across landscapes as part of management plans.

Team setting up cameras in the field

In February 2020, our teams set-up camera-traps in the first Biodiversity Priority Zone (the Nam Chea Zone; cf. Figure 1). Four Anoulak staff were trained (refresher training) to conduct the surveys (Mr. Kanthaly, Mr. Khammai, Mr. Done and Mr. Chaolor) to each lead a team assisted by villagers from the local community.

Camera-trapping training at our field station

Camera-trapping training at our field station

Camera-trapping training at our field station

Camera-trapping training at our field station

Camera-trap set-up in the field

Camera-trap set-up in the field

In the next couple of months, the two other zones (Thongkhacheng and Thongkhouang; cf. Figure 1) will also be surveyed (including camera set-up and retrieval), followed by data processing, analysis, reporting and publishing by the end of 2020.

Stay tuned to our Newsletters to get progress on these surveys (and the wildlife photos that will result from it) as we share them with you!!!

Core team. From left to right: Camille C.; Tou; Phouxay; Khantaly; Done; Chaolor; Khammai

Teams with villagers assisting the survey activities

Thank you to Fondation Segré for financially supporting this project.