Recent findings on the ivory and rhino-horn trade in Lao People's Democratic Republic
Author(s):
Vigne, Lucy
Format:
Journal article
Citation:
Pachyderm, Number 54, (2013-12). pp. 36-44.
Language:
English
Abstract:
Democratic Republic (PDR), regulations are rarely enforced. This situation is resulting in a growing international ivory trade with ivory, both raw and worked, passing through and into Lao PDR, which acts as a transit country, particularly from Africa to China, for raw ivory. There is also an increasing retail market in ivory items, many smuggled in from southern China, especially newly carved African ivory from illegal sources. In March 2013, I counted 1,929 ivory pieces on display for retail sale in Vientiane and Luang Prabang, excluding the many ivory small Buddha amulets, which are easily confused with bone amulets. The numbers of Chinese in Lao PDR are increasing, and they are the main buyers of the ivory items I counted. Many were priced in US dollars, some in Chinese script and Chinese renminbi. Lao PDR is also home to major illegal wildlife traders, who have been responsible for much of the illegal rhino-horn trade from South Africa via Lao PDR to Vietnam since 2008. These illegal wildlife traders also recently bought all the real Asian rhino horns in the Vientiane markets to sell in Vietnam. Many counterfeit Asian rhino horns are for sale in the souvenir and jewellery shops and at the Hmong tribal medicine stalls, and some outlets are also now displaying fake African rhino horns resembling a hunting trophy with two horns attached to a base, aimed for the growing tourist market. They are apparently made in Vietnam and have been for sale to foreigners in Lao PDR since about 2010. Growing numbers of Vietnamese and Chinese now live in Lao PDR and some consume real African rhino horn. Lao prefer Asian rhino horns, revering them for worship on their family altars to bring them good luck in wealth. With more Chinese and Vietnamese coming to live, work and visit Lao PDR, however, the demand in ivory and rhino horn originating from Africa is increasing.