Laos
Products of animal origin
Though it is considered a popular destination for ecological tourism, in many areas of Laos you can still find products of animal origin both in the form of souvenirs and in the traditional local dishes. In many night markets it is possible to buy wild animal horns, heads, fangs, teeth, shell bracelets, legs, snake skins and feathers. Unfortunately, some tourists believe that if these products are for sale, it means it is legal to buy them and bring them to their country. This misinformation is also prevalent due to the fact that hostels, hotels and other tourist establishments do not provide any information on the subject. Even tourist guides sometimes make the problem worse by offering tourists to taste dishes made with exotic animals. More information.
Elephant rides
Elephant rides are often offered as an eco-tourism activity and many of the centers in Laos that sell this activity claim to have rescued animals from a life of abuse. Unfortunately, carrying tourists has serious physical and psychological consequences for the elephants involved, is dangerous for people and encourages poaching of these animals. Therefore, for no reason it should be considered an eco-tourism activity. More information about this topic.
Likewise, tourists should not be fooled by those false rescue centers that despite calling themselves sanctuaries, keep their animals for profit only and force them to perform unnatural activities and carry people. An example in this regard is the Elephant Village. More information about false sanctuaries.
Stray animals
Laos has a large number of stray animals, which often live in very bad conditions. The stray cat and dog population is controlled by unregulated mass slaughter that usually involves very cruel slaughter methods. If you encounter these animals, you can help them by giving them some food and water, but avoiding close interaction with them to avoid the spread of possible diseases. To this we must add that in many occasions dogs and cats belong to individuals or temples but, due to lack of resources, they cannot offer them the veterinary care and attention they need and by custom, they leave them away from their home causing them to be victims of car accidents or captures for their meat. For more information consult here and here.
Cockfights
As in many other areas of Asia, cockfights are still very popular in Laos. Cockfighting is a very bloody competition that involves cocks, which are specially chosen and raised, fighting and often fitted with small knives on top of their own nails. Although usually the locals are the ones who bet on these competitions, we advise tourists not to attend these shows, both to avoid promoting this business and because of their excessive cruelty.
Bile bear farms
Bear bile is a traditional product in Asian medicine and is believed to cure all kinds of problems such as illnesses, fractures, pain and even tumours. As a result, throughout Asia, some 20,000 Asian black bears - a threatened species - are held captive in cages so tiny that they cannot even stand up and where their bile is removed while they are alive and awake through a primitive catheter unhygienically inserted into their liver. It is estimated that there are currently 8 bear bile farms in Laos.
Some of the animals rescued from this industry live and can be seen at the Tat Kuang Si Bear Rescue Center.
Recommended projects and rescue centers:
Here is a list of local NGOs that can be contacted in case you want to make a donation, a complaint or find an animal that needs help in Laos: Pet Awareness in Laos
If you want to report a crime against wildlife you can contact: Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Department of Forestry +856-21-215-961
