Lao PDR Approves National Tiger Recovery Action Plan 2026–2035

Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR – 22 May 2026 — The Government of Lao PDR has approved the National Tiger Recovery Action Plan (NTRAP) 2026–2035, establishing a comprehensive 10-year national framework to restore the ecological conditions necessary for the future recovery of wild tigers in the country.

Signed by the Minister of Agriculture and Environment in March 2026, the Action Plan reaffirms Lao PDR’s commitment to biodiversity conservation and the implementation of its obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the Global Tiger Recovery Programme (GTRP), and other international conservation commitments.

The NTRAP will be implemented under the leadership of the Department of Forestry, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, in close collaboration with provincial authorities, protected area management authorities, research institutions, conservation organizations, local communities and international development partners.

A New Phase for Tiger Recovery

The Action Plan recognizes that no verified records of wild tigers have been documented in Lao PDR since 2013, when the last confirmed tiger was recorded in Nam Et–Phou Louey National Protected Area.

Rather than focusing solely on protecting a remnant tiger population, the new strategy shifts toward rebuilding the ecological conditions required for the eventual natural return of tigers. The plan prioritizes restoring suitable habitat, recovering prey populations, strengthening law enforcement, enhancing scientific monitoring, improving habitat connectivity and reinforcing transboundary cooperation with neighboring tiger range countries, particularly Thailand.

National Commitment to Biodiversity Conservation

The approval of the NTRAP reflects Lao PDR’s strong political commitment to conserving one of the world’s most endangered large carnivores while strengthening the protection of the country’s forests and biodiversity.

The Action Plan was developed through an extensive consultative process involving government agencies, provincial authorities, protected area managers, academic institutions, conservation organizations and technical experts. WWF-Laos provided important technical and financial support throughout the planning process.

Over the past decade, Lao PDR has made significant progress in strengthening wildlife conservation through legal reforms, improved protected area management, SMART patrol systems, enhanced wildlife law enforcement, community-based conservation programmes and stronger implementation of CITES commitments.

Nevertheless, the Action Plan recognizes that illegal hunting, widespread snaring, wildlife trafficking, prey depletion, habitat fragmentation and limited enforcement capacity continue to present major challenges to tiger recovery.

Priority Tiger Landscapes

The NTRAP identifies Nam Poui National Protected Area as Lao PDR’s highest-priority landscape for supporting the potential natural return of wild tigers from neighboring source populations. Owing to its strategic location, habitat connectivity and ecological potential, Nam Poui represents the country’s most suitable landscape for future tiger recovery.

Additional priority landscapes include:

• Nam Et–Phou Louey National Protected Area
• Nakai–Nam Theun National Protected Area
• Xe Pian National Protected Area

These landscapes remain critical to Lao PDR’s long-term tiger recovery strategy and will require continued investment in habitat restoration, prey recovery, strengthened protection and improved ecological connectivity.

Building the Foundations for Recovery

The Action Plan identifies several strategic priorities necessary for successful tiger recovery, including:

• Restoring healthy prey populations;
• Securing and reconnecting tiger habitats;
• Strengthening wildlife law enforcement and anti-poaching operations;
• Combating illegal wildlife trade;
• Expanding ecological monitoring and scientific research;
• Promoting community participation in conservation;
• Securing long-term sustainable financing; and
• Strengthening regional cooperation among tiger range countries.

Successful implementation will require sustained government leadership, strong institutional coordination, scientific support, adequate financing and long-term partnerships.

Strengthening Lao PDR’s CITES Commitments

Implementation of the National Tiger Recovery Action Plan also reinforces Lao PDR’s ongoing efforts to combat illegal wildlife trade under CITES.

The Government continues to strengthen wildlife crime investigations, protected area management, wildlife monitoring systems, transboundary cooperation and national enforcement mechanisms to eliminate threats to tigers and other endangered species. These efforts contribute not only to tiger recovery but also to broader ecosystem conservation and regional biodiversity protection.

Associate Professor Dr. Somvang Phimmavong, Director General of the Department of Forestry, stated:

“The National Tiger Recovery Action Plan demonstrates Lao PDR’s renewed commitment as a tiger range country to restoring healthy, connected and resilient tiger landscapes. Through coordinated national action, strengthened law enforcement, habitat restoration and international cooperation, we are laying the foundation for the future recovery of wild tigers while conserving the rich biodiversity upon which our people and ecosystems depend.”

Looking Ahead

The successful implementation of the National Tiger Recovery Action Plan will depend upon close collaboration among government agencies, provincial and district authorities, protected area managers, local communities, research institutions, conservation organizations and development partners.

Although restoring viable tiger habitats is a long-term undertaking, the adoption of the NTRAP marks an important milestone in Lao PDR’s conservation journey. By strengthening forest governance, restoring ecosystems, combating wildlife crime and promoting regional cooperation, Lao PDR is building the conditions necessary for the eventual return of one of Asia’s most iconic species while safeguarding its natural heritage for future generations.