SUPPORTED PROJECTS

Cambridge Laos ’92/’93: A rainforest conservation project

Tom Evans

The expedition surveyed wildlife resources of two protected areas. Information was obtained on the distribution of many key bird and mammal species (including Kouprey, Elephant, Dhole, Gibbon, Peafowl, Giant Ibis, White Shouldered Ibis and Sarns Crane). Notes were made on the many human uses of the sites. Xe Pian is a very important area with many scarce species present in large populations. Follow up work is being performed by the same team.

Project update: 21/8/96. This 9-month survey of the Xe Piane proposed protected area in Laos studied lowland forest, lowland river systems and seasonal wetlands. Nine threatened bird species were recorded, including large populations of Siamese Fireback (Lophura diardi), Bar-bellied Pitta (Pitta ellioti) and Red-collared Woodpecker (Picus rabieri), and small numbers of threatened large waterbirds such as Masked Finfoot (Heliopais personata) and Lesser Adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus), as well as both White-shouldered Ibis (Pseudibis davisoni) and Giant Ibis (Pseudibis gigantean) (the first record in several decades). A number of rare mammals were seen by the team, including Sun Bear, Gaur and big cats. Management of the three main study sites was to begin in 1993-94 (T. Evans in litt. 1994).