Lao Wildlife Heroes Campaign Engages Railway Travellers in the Fight Against Illegal Wildlife Trade

Oudomxay Province, Lao PDR – The Department of Forestry, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, through the CITES Management Authority of Lao PDR, together with the GIZ Protection and Sustainable Use of Forest Ecosystems and Biodiversity (ProFEB) Project and partners, successfully conducted a public awareness campaign to combat illegal wildlife trade at the Oudomxay Lao China Railway Station from 28 to 30 March 2025. The activity formed part of the nationwide Lao Wildlife Heroes campaign, encouraging every citizen and visitor to play a role in protecting wildlife and reducing demand for illegally traded wildlife products.

The awareness campaign engaged domestic and international travellers through interactive exhibitions, educational displays, face to face discussions and wildlife themed learning activities. Visitors received practical information on Lao wildlife protection laws, the categories of protected species, legal penalties for wildlife offences, and the environmental and public health risks associated with purchasing, transporting or consuming illegally sourced wildlife and wildlife products. Campaign staff also encouraged participants to report suspected wildlife crime through official reporting channels.

Interactive games and educational materials enabled participants to identify protected wildlife species found in Lao PDR and better understand the importance of biodiversity conservation. Travellers who successfully completed the activities received campaign souvenirs, including reusable bags, badges and keychains carrying the Lao Wildlife Heroes message, helping to extend awareness beyond the railway station.

The campaign attracted strong public interest, with many travellers stopping to learn about wildlife conservation before continuing their journeys. The initiative also served as an opportunity to engage directly with tourists and local communities travelling along the Lao China Railway, one of the country’s busiest transport corridors connecting major tourism destinations.

Following the successful event in Oudomxay, the awareness campaign continued at Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang Railway Stations from 4 to 6 April 2025, before concluding at Boten Railway Station from 25 to 27 April 2025, extending wildlife conservation messages to thousands of passengers travelling throughout northern Lao PDR.

Implemented under the ProFEB Project and the global Partnership Against Wildlife Crime in Africa and Asia, the campaign was supported by GIZ and funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, with support from the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety. Through close collaboration among government agencies, conservation organisations and development partners, the initiative contributes to the implementation of the National Demand Reduction Strategy and strengthens public participation in combating illegal wildlife trade and protecting the unique wildlife heritage of Lao PDR.