Throughout your travels in Laos the opportunity to buy or consume wildlife is likely to come about. In the interests of wildlife conservation, the Wildlife Conservation Society - Lao PDR strongly urges you not to partake in the wildlife trade. While it's true that subsistence hunting is permitted by the Government of Lao PDR for local rural villagers, the sale and purchase of any wildlife is illegal in Laos. The wildlife trade is damaging to biodiversity and to local livelihoods.

While strolling through rural and city markets you'll come across wild animals for sale as meat or live pets. In a misguided attempt to do the right thing travellers have been known to buy these live animals in order to release them. While it might feel like this is a positive step  towards thwarting the wildlife trade it actually has the opposite effect with vendors, unaware   of the buyer's motivation, interpreting the sale as increased demand.

Be prepared for some bizarre and disturbing items on restaurant menus and in food markets in Laos. While it may be tempting to experience the unusual it's strongly recommended that the following animals be avoided: soft shelled turtles, rat snakes, mouse deer, sambar deer, squirrel, bamboo rat, muntjac deer, and pangolins. Many of these species are endangered or are a source of prey for endangered species.

Thinking of purchasing a stuffed wild animal? A bag or wallet made from animal skin? Or perhaps an insect in a framed box? Think again. The money made in the sale of these peculiar trinkets goes directly towards supporting the illegal wildlife trade. Also to be avoided are the rings and necklaces made from animal teeth (sellers may tell you that this is buffalo bone, but it's just as likely that it's bear or wild pig bone) and the bottles of alcohol with snakes, birds, j or insects inside. Though widely sold, this trade is illegal in Laos, and you'll most likely find your new libido-enhancing snake oil confiscated by customs in your home country anyway. Keep an eye out for products with a CITES-certified label, these are legal to buy in Laos and take home.

For many species of wildlife in Laos populations are at critically low levels. The WCS Lao PDR programme (http://www.wcs.org/international/Asia/laos) is collaborating with the Vientiane Capi­tal City government to monitor and control wildlife trade. If you observe wildlife trading please contact the local authorities.