DIVERSITY OF MAMMALS IN DONG PHOUVIENG NATIONAL PROTECTED AREA, SAVANNAKHET PROVINCE, LAO PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC

Abstract

The study of the diversity of mammals in the Dong Phouvieng National Protected Area (Savannakhet Province, Lao PDR) was conducted in 2023, focused on three administrative districts – Phin, Sepon, and Nong – covering ten village sectors. Standardized methods included deployment of camera-traps, systematic corridor transects, acoustic monitoring, opportunistic photography, and semi-structured interviews with residents concerning historical wildlife use. This survey found 10 families and 20 species. Sciuridae accounted for the greatest number of species, followed sequentially by Cercopithecidae, Viverridae, and Tupaiidae. The remaining six families, such as Cervidae, Craseonycteridae, Hystricidae, Leporidae, Muridae, and Spalacidae, were each represented by a single species. Overall, the results of this study indicate that the species diversity index for both the dry and rainy seasons was low. This suggests that the studied area has low biodiversity. Conservation assessments placed Pygathrix nemaeus and Trachypithecus germaini in the Critically Endangered (CR) category of the IUCN Red List; the remaining 18 species are currently assessed as Least Concern (LC). Under CITES, Viverricula indica is listed in Appendix I, Pygathrix nemaeus, and Trachypithecus germaini in Appendix II, and Paradoxurus hermaphroditus in Appendix III; while 16 species have yet to be evaluated. Nationally, Viverricula indica, Pygathrix nemaeus, and Trachypithecus germaini are within Lao Category I (prohibited); Muntiacus muntjac, Atherurus macrourus, Paradoxurus hermaphroditus, and Melogale personata are within Category II (Regulated), and 10 species are within Category III (Common); three species remain unevaluated at the national level.