Threats: Wildlife over-exploitation
The most immediate threat to species in the Greater Annamites
Wildlife hunting and collecting by the rural population can supplement their livelihoods, diets or meet some of their medicinal needs.
Open access to protected areas Additionally, the collection of plants for building materials and for fuel wood threatens a wide variety of plant species. In many cases, local communities, commercial hunters and illegal loggers have more or less open access to forest areas despite their status as protected areas.
Voracious demands of markets such as China
Although much of the exploitation is conducted for local purposes, a considerable amount is to feed the voracious demand of domestic - mainly urban - and international markets, particularly in China. As such, species of high commercial value are under the greatest threat of over-exploitation or even extinction from the wildlife trade. These include orchids, golden turtles and tigers.
Hunters may even use mines
Hunters sometimes seek animals far into remote areas and use extreme methods, such as laying mines and traps. More commonly used methods and tools are guns and snares, and sometimes nets and dogs as well. Indiscriminate practices mean that non-targeted species also may be captured.
WWF Indochina and its partners are taking action to ensure that the exploitation of plants and animals from the Greater Annamites ecoregion becomes sustainable, from both human development and conservation perspectives.
