KPL
Authorities in Ta-Oy District have arrested five individuals for illegally hunting and killing three endangered red-shanked douc langurs within Xe Xap National Park, a protected forest area in southern Laos.
(KPL) Authorities in Ta-Oy District have arrested five individuals for illegally hunting and killing three endangered red-shanked douc langurs within Xe Xap National Park, a protected forest area in southern Laos.
The incident occurred on July 19, 2025, when the suspects—residents of Pikok Village—entered the park with a homemade shotgun, initially intending to chase monkeys eating wild fruit in their fields. After missing their initial target, the men encountered a troop of 40–50 red-shanked douc langurs, an endangered primate species protected under Lao wildlife law. They killed three langurs—one female and two males—and later sold the carcasses for food money.
The case surfaced after photos of the dead langurs were posted on social media on July 21, prompting an immediate investigation by the Salavan Provincial Agriculture and Forestry Department, in coordination with the Ta-Oy District Agriculture and Forestry Office. The suspects were quickly identified, arrested on July 22, and held at the Ta-Oy District Police Headquarters for questioning.
During the interrogation, the men confessed to the crime, detailing how they tracked and shot the langurs over a distance of 100 meters after their initial miss.
Authorities concluded that the suspects had violated:Article 61, Clause 3 of the Revised Wildlife Law (No. 42/NA, dated July 17, 2023), and Article 331 (Illegal Hunting) of the Lao Criminal Code (No. 26/NA, dated May 17, 2017).
The case has been fully processed according to legal procedures, and the individuals are currently undergoing legal education and disciplinary action, according to the Ta-Oy District Forest Inspection Unit.
Xe Xap National Park is one of Laos’ key biodiversity areas and home to numerous endangered species. Authorities have reiterated their commitment to enforcing wildlife protection laws and discouraging illegal hunting activities.
KPL
