Lao PDR Strengthens CITES Implementation and Wildlife Crime Prevention through First-Ever GPS Collaring of Wild Elephants

Vientiane, March 2026 (KPL) — Lao People Democratic Republic continues to reinforce implementation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) through innovative measures aimed at strengthening wildlife conservation and combating illegal wildlife trade.

In a landmark initiative, Lao PDR has successfully deployed a GPS collar on a wild elephant in Nam Poui National Protected Area, marking the first time such technology has been applied to wild elephants in the country. The activity was implemented by the Department of Forestry under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment with technical and financial support from WWF-Laos.

The GPS collaring enables real-time monitoring of elephant movements, providing critical data to support law enforcement patrols, prevent poaching, and reduce risks associated with illegal wildlife trade. The system also enhances the capacity of authorities to respond to human–elephant conflict and contributes to evidence-based conservation planning. This initiative represents a significant step in strengthening national efforts to implement the CITES Compliance Action Plan and to address transboundary wildlife crime.

Building on this success, the Department of Forestry, in collaboration with WWF-Laos and partners, plans to expand the GPS collaring programme to other key elephant habitats across Lao PDR to further strengthen monitoring systems and improve protection of wild elephant populations nationwide.

The activity further demonstrates Lao PDR strong commitment to protecting endangered species listed under CITES, particularly Asian elephants, which face increasing threats from habitat loss and illegal trade.

In parallel, the Government of Lao PDR continues to strengthen the management of captive elephants through the implementation of a national registration and identification system. This includes the use of microchips in accordance with national regulations and CITES requirements to ensure traceability and transparency.

The system supports verification of legal ownership, prevents illegal trade of captive elephants and their derivatives, and improves overall management standards. These efforts form part of the broader national Compliance Action Plan to enhance wildlife law enforcement, promote sustainable management, and ensure Lao PDR full compliance with international obligations under CITES.

For more information: https://asiapacific.panda.org/?395357/