Posted on January, 06 2026
- Representatives from wildlife and forestry government agencies met to finalize the National Tiger Recovery Action Plan 2026-2035.
- The meeting endorsed a consolidated Action Plan, integrating inputs from previous consultations and technical discussions.
- Discussions confirmed a shared commitment to move forward toward approval and implementation.
- The next step is to seek endorsement at ministerial level, ahead of formal sign-off by the Minister of Agriculture and Environment.
Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR: The National Tiger Recovery Action Plan (NTRAP) 2026-2035 for Laos has been finalized, providing a long-term national framework to guide efforts toward the recovery of wild tigers in priority ecological landscapes across the country. With no confirmed evidence of wild tigers in Laos since 2013 – when a tiger was last recorded by camera traps in Nam Et-Phou Louey National Park – this Action Plan responds to the urgent need for coordinated, long-term efforts to prevent local extinction and create the conditions necessary for future tiger recovery.
The final consultation meeting for the NTRAP, organized by the Department of Forestry under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, was held on 26 December 2025 in Vientiane Capital with support from WWF-Laos. The meeting was co-chaired by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thoumthone Vongvisouk, Deputy Director General of the Department of Forestry, and Heron Holloway, Country Director of WWF-Laos, brought together provincial forestry authorities from areas with high tiger recovery potential, wildlife and law-enforcement agencies, conservation organizations, and other key partners.
“As one of the tiger range countries, and in line with the Global Tiger Recovery Programme, the Government of Laos recognizes the importance of restoring wild tiger populations in the country,” said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thoumthone Vongvisouk, Deputy Director General of the Department of Forestry. “This will be pursued through priority tiger conservation landscapes, the national forest strategy, and the implementation of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.”
Recent analysis estimates that around 5,700 tigers remain in the wild globally across tiger range countries. While Laos is recognized as a tiger range country, the lack of confirmed scientific records since 2013 means it is not currently reflected in these population estimates.
“I strongly believe that through the implementation of the National Tiger Recovery Action Plan, together with other biodiversity and forest management plans, and through joint efforts with conservation partners and local communities, tiger recovery in Laos is possible,” Dr. Thoumthone added. “This will position Laos not only as a tiger range country, but as a landscape where wild tigers roam again.”
As global tiger conservation efforts increasingly focus on addressing habitat fragmentation and expanding the species’ range, Laos – with substantial areas of remaining suitable tiger habitat – holds strong potential to support tiger dispersal and contribute meaningfully to regional and global recovery efforts.
One of the most immediate threats across potential tiger recovery sites is snaring, largely driven by the illegal wildlife trade, alongside ongoing habitat loss and degradation. According to the report Silence of the Snare: Southeast Asia’s Snaring Crisis, millions of snares are estimated to be present in protected areas across Laos, Cambodia, and Viet Nam. These indiscriminate traps impact more than 700 terrestrial species in the region, including some of the most threatened wildlife such as the Asian elephant, tiger, saola, and banteng.
Snaring not only directly threatens tigers, but also drives severe declines in prey species, while habitat loss and fragmentation further reduce the availability and connectivity of suitable tiger landscapes – undermining long-term recovery efforts.
“Recovering tigers benefits far more than the species itself,” said Heron Holloway, Country Director of WWF-Laos. “As top predators, tigers play a vital role in keeping forest ecosystems healthy and balanced, supporting rich biodiversity and the ecosystem services that people depend on. Their presence is a sign of a thriving forest – one that provides clean water, resilient landscapes, and long-term benefits for both wildlife and communities.”
Under WWF-Laos’ new five-year Strategic Plan, tigers are identified as a priority species. In alignment with the government-led National Tiger Recovery Action Plan, WWF-Laos is committed to advancing support for the nationwide implementation of the NTRAP, with a strong focus on priority landscapes, including Nam Poui National Protected Area (NPA) – recognized as one of Laos’ most promising sites for tiger recovery.
Nam Poui NPA is a critical biodiversity stronghold and an ASEAN Heritage Park, home to one of the country’s largest remaining elephant populations, as well as key species such as gaur, bears, wild cats, and the last known group of white-handed gibbons in the area. Its strategic location along the western border, proximity to breeding tiger populations in Thailand, and relatively lower levels of industrial snaring and hunting make Nam Poui a landscape of high potential for regional tiger recovery and transboundary conservation impact.
“Once the National Tiger Recovery Action Plan is approved, its collective implementation will help restore forests, rebuild prey populations, and strengthen protection in key landscapes,” Holloway added. “By working together, we can transform empty forests into healthy ecosystems and create the conditions needed for tigers to return over time.”
WWF-Laos remains committed to working closely with the Government of Laos and conservation partners to translate the NTRAP into action and help secure a future where wild tigers can once again
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For media inquiries, contact:
bounpone.sookmexay@wwf.org.la
Communications Manager, WWF-Laos
Find out more about our work in Laos: www.wwf.org.la
