Title
Community education in Lao PDR
Author(s)
Khoonsrivong, K.
Published
2021
Publisher
OTTER, Journal of the International Otter Survival Fund
Abstract
Four species of otter have been recorded in Lao PDR: Asian small-clawed (Aonyx cinereus), smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata), hairy-nosed otter (Lutra sumatrana), and Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra). However, little work had been done on these species and the hairy-nosed and Eurasian otter had not been recorded in recent times. In April 2018, IOSF held a training workshop in Lao PDR and Kiengkai Khoonsrivong assisted in the organisation of the event. There were 36 participants many of whom worked at the Department of Forestry (DOF), Province of Agriculture and Forestry Office (PAFO), and District of Agriculture and Forestry Office (DAFO). There was also considerable support for the project from the Lao Government, particularly Mr Asoka Rasphone, who at that time was Deputy Director of International Organisation Department of Ministry of Foreign Affairs . Before this the Wildlife Conservation Society had a few records from the Nam Et Phou Louey National Park but they had no identification of the species. In 2016, Project Anoulak carried out a preliminary project involving camera traps and community interviews. This revealed evidence of Asian small-clawed (Aonyx cinereus) and smooth-coated otters (Lutrogale perspicillata), but there were no reports of the possible presence of Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra). However, evidence of this species was found during the field work element of the workshop. Since the workshop the author has been carrying out education and public awareness work and this is the report on the latest part of the project.
Keywords
Asian small clawed otter; Eurasian otter; smooth coated otter; hairy nosed otter; otters; Lao PDR

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PUB26486