Global Importance of the Indochina Bioregion:
The ten level I Tiger Conservation Units (TCUs) of the Indochina bioregion (comprised of Vietnam, Cambodia,
Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar [Burma]) encompass some of the last relatively intact, contiguous tracts of natural
forest in Asia and are among the largest tiger conservation units on that continent. For instance, the vast
Virachay-Xe Piane-Yok Don TCU encompasses more than 50,000 km2 of tropical dry dipterocarp and moist deciduous
forests. Fortunately, about one quarter of this has already been designated as protected areas, and some of
these, Virachay National Park for example, are among the largest reserves in Asia. Many of the most promising
sites for long-term tiger conservation straddle two or three countries, underscoring the importance of regional
coordination.
The best available population data suggests there may be 1,000 to 2,000 tigers living in Indochina today,
some occupying habitats that are among the only remaining well-preserved examples of their type in the world.
For example, Indochina presents the best opportunity to save one of the last large tiger populations adapted to
tropical dry forest ecosystems. The prey assemblage of this bioregion's tigers includes rare species like the
recently discovered saola (also known as the Vu Quang ox) and giant muntjak, and features the greatest
diversity of wild cattle species of any bioregion. Tigers in Indochina coexist with a rich diversity of other
fauna, including gaur, sun bear, Asian elephant, and a colorful cast of endangered primates such as langurs and
gibbons.
Despite Indochina's potential for tiger conservation, little tiger research, conservation planning, or
protected areas management has been done here yet due to decades of civil war and political turmoil. The region
was largely closed to foreign scientists until recently, and exciting new scientific discoveries lurk within
this tantalizingly unexplored realm. In fact, since the early 1990's, WWF-supported field biologists have
identified two new mammal species in Vietnam: the giant muntjac, a deer species twice the size of the common
muntjac; and the saola.
WWF is embarking on a new era of tiger conservation in the Indochina region, starting in Thailand, Vietnam,
Cambodia, and Laos. Long-range strategies are taking shape and are starting to coalesce into action. Optimism
is justified but must be tempered by the reality of the height of hurdles that lie ahead.
The Conservation Challenge:
Tigers face the same battles in Indochina as they do elsewhere in their range. Their forest habitat is raided
for firewood and ravaged by logging companies for timber. They must compete with local hunters for deer and
other prey. And they are in constant peril from poachers who supply tiger parts to the traditional medicine
trade. Protected areas do exist, but their guards and wildlife managers lack training and equipment. Adding to
the challenge, tigers do not recognize national boundaries and routinely travel between adjacent countries at
will. Therefore, countries that share tiger populations, such as Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, must work together
to ensure responsible, effective conservation. Comprehensive data gathering and sharing, coordinated planning,
and rapid implementation must begin in earnest to stave off the disappearance of Indochina's tigers.
