TBNClimate
Ecotourism may deter hunters, but also keeps wildlife away, Laos study suggests
Publication: Conservation news
Authors: Isabel Esterman, Carolyn Cowan
Source published: 02/11/2026, 14:32:12 UTC
Briefing created: 02/11/2026, 14:41:52 UTC
Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 02/11/2026, 14:39:23 UTC.
Briefings
A 2026 study published in Global Ecology and Conservation analyzed camera-trap data from 2013-2019 in northern Laos to determine if ecotourism creates wildlife refuges. Researchers found that medium-to-large mammals, including 15 globally threatened species, shifted their forest habitats toward areas near trekking trails and kayaking routes, suggesting tourism may deter hunting by providing a visible refuge. The study highlights a complex dynamic where wildlife selection behavior might reduce hunting pressure in specific zones, though the causal link between tourism presence and habitat avoidance remains partially unverified.
Key points
- Camera-trap data from 2013-2019 showed 45 medium-to-large mammal species across 59 sites in northern Laos.
- Wildlife selected forest habitats closer to trekking trails and kayaking routes, potentially reducing hunting pressure.
Context
This research investigates whether an award-winning community-based ecotourism initiative in Nam Ha National Protected Area since 1999 creates safe havens for local wildlife. The study examines if tourism-induced habitat selection by medium-to-large mammals reduces hunting pressure, a key question for conservation in Laos where hunting is integral to local culture.
Limitations
Data covers 2013-2019 with 59 camera-trap sites; habitat selection patterns observed may not reflect long-term behavioral changes. Uncertainty exists regarding whether tourism directly caused habitat shifts or if other factors influenced wildlife distribution. No direct causal claims are supported beyond observed habitat selection patterns.
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