Every year, thousands of critically endangered species are ripped from the wild and slaughtered for their body parts. Pangolins, bears, tiger cubs, primates and countless other wild species suffer this gruesome fate.
Other animals are shamefully abused and torn from their mothers’ sides as infants, terrified and bereft, and enslaved as ‘pets.’
Almost no wild animal in Southeast Asia is safe. From the very moment it is born, every helpless creature lives with the threat of poaching hanging over its head.
There is only one hope for these terrified, tortured animal victims: your support today. Because together, we have the power to save them.
Across Asia, pangolins are slaughtered in their thousands for their meat and scales
In Laos, a key animal trafficking hub, our partner fights on the frontlines of this crisis.
The small team at Lao Conservation Trust for Wildlife (LCTW) works day and night, rescuing animals from bushmeat markets, intercepting wildlife traffickers and racing against the clock to save lives that are hanging on by a thread. It works closely with local law enforcement to bring perpetrators to book.
LCTW has successfully rehabilitated and released over 400 animals into the natural, protected forest surrounding its sanctuary, and today has 250 animals in its care.
But now, the threat has reached its doorstep. Poachers have started targeting the animals in the forest surrounding the sanctuary, and without vital equipment, our team is struggling to protect them.
In Laos, animals are sold for their skins or as pets, such as this marbled cat (left) in an open market, waiting to be skinned or sold. Credit: LCTW
When poached, these animals face imprisonment, torture and probable death.
Today, you can help keep them safe.
The best way to help protect Laos’ wildlife from poachers is with high-tech drones. A drone will enable LCTW to patrol large areas of forest effectively and discreetly, identifying suspicious activity before poachers can strike.
This will ensure that criminals are quickly identified, intercepted, and handed over to law enforcement for punishment.
A drone will help make the difference between allowing a poacher to take a life, or putting an end to their operation – and each day without one puts the animals at risk.
Prevention is ALWAYS better than rescue.
In markets across Laos, you can witness the horror of tiny civet kittens in cages, beheaded bears, animal skins hung next to their live, caged counterparts, and pangolins reduced to just their scales. We cannot let this go unchallenged – and an advanced drone is a crucial weapon in the fight against poachers.
If we can raise $7,000 (£5,200), we can equip the LCTW team with this vital tool.
One of thousands of live pangolins sold at Dongmakkhay market, Vientiane. Credit: Agent C Wildlife Initiative
This is an awful lot for a sanctuary that is already stretched to its limits, yet still continues to save every life it can. Together, I know we can help them protect precious wildlife, ensuring animals never experience the horrific suffering that awaits them if they are caught by poachers.
So please: I am calling on you to donate as much as you can today. The animals will be endlessly grateful for your compassion.
