Stakeholder engagement meeting for the safe capture and handling of Large-antlered Muntjac

Partner Networking Fund
Written By Elizabeth Zhang
 

Project aims

Large-antlered Muntjac is indiscrimantly snared for the illegal wildlife trade. It is very likely that a conservation breeding programme will be needed, and that animals will need to be captured from the wild to establish this. However, there is hesitancy amongst stakeholders on whether this is necessary and the absence of safe protocols for the capture and handling of wild-caught muntjacs is one of the barriers to securing an agreement.

Results

  • A meeting with representatives of the government of Lao PDR, Saola Foundation, and the IUCN SSC Deer Specialist Group was held in Lao PDR on 8 April 2024.

  • 32 participants attended the meeting, the majority from state institutes.

  • The meeting focused on showcasing successful ungulate capture methods from other parts of the world, updating on the status of Large-antlered Muntjac, and seeking consensus on the need for capturing some muntjacs.

  • The latter was achieved by framing the captures as important for scientific research.

  • A guideline for the safe capture and handling of Large-antlered Muntjac has been drafted in Lao and is being translated into English. This will eventually be shared on the ASAP website for other stakeholders.

Reports

 

AT A GLANCE

 

Organisation: Saola Foundation

Collaborating Partners: IUCN SSC Deer Specialist Group

Country: Lao PDR

Year project started: 2024

Species: Large-antlered Muntjac

Elizabeth Zhang
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