If we have no law to protect these animals, sooner or later, all of these animals will be disappeared from Laos, and our new generation will ask you "Where all these animals has gone?"
The Lao will hunt and eat virtually anything that moves. So going to a local market is quite an eye-opener. At times I wished I had my field book on mammals to identify what I saw. While trekking in Laos, we saw no wildlife at all, except for the occasional bird. They were all at the market!
But we did see plenty of people out with traps and snares, nets, catapults and slingshots to catch any animal they see. Nothing is spared.
My friends had arrived in Luang Prabang before me. Knowing I had an interest in bats, they told me they had seen bats for sale at the local market. I was really excited to hear this, and next morning paid an early, pre-breakfast visit to the market. Little did I know that for the next three weeks I would see bats in every market, every day.
There were fruit bats and insect-eating bats. Some were dead, some still alive. Some were sold individually, others sold in bundles tied up with string. There were even miniature ones sold in lots of five, grilled between two wooden sticks. However, I didn’t see any of the large fruit bats, so maybe the supply was already exhausted.
Apart from bats, there were rats too. These were all dead, but some were very fresh with blood still oozing out, others were skinned, and a few were dried while some were almost mummified. I saw ordinary rats as well as white-bellied rats. The latter were quite attractive with their brown and white coats.
A variety of birds, mammals and rodents can be found at the market.
However, I was most fascinated by the bamboo rats, as these were still alive. Some were held captive in cages, whilst others were tethered.
The first one lunged at me as I tried to get close to take a photo. It attempted to take a chunk out of my camera with its large yellow teeth. From then on, I kept a distance from their strong choppers. These bamboo rats have stocky bodies, and large feet and claws designed for digging bamboo roots.
Other rodents commonly seen were squirrels. There were various types, the most attractive being the ones with the reddish fur.
Surprisingly, I saw very few chickens in the markets and villages. Although we saw pigs, there wasn’t an abundance of chickens. However, we did hear the noisy roosters, which woke us each morning.
Some market stalls were devoted to buffaloes. The whole animal was there for sale in various pieces, from horn to hooves.
At the markets, frogs were large and kept alive in bowls. Others were tied together with string. I only saw one snake, a species of Racer.
Laos is a landlocked country. In markets in the northeast, I saw sea fish, so probably these came from Vietnam. And in Luang Prabang, there were large fish straight from the Mekong River.
Last but not least, were the birds – Green Cochoa, Golden-throated Barbets, Asian Barred Owlet and partridges (maybe Mountain Bamboo partridge).
I have to admit we did try some of these exotic foods. First was squirrel, which wasn’t too bad, although it was rather bony.
We then ordered bamboo rat. This definitely wasn’t a favourite as the meat was tough and rubbery; there were lots of bones, and the skin was tough and fatty. I didn’t enjoy eating this, partly because I felt sorry for the animal. But I did keep the feet and a tail for a souvenir!
It is part of Lao food culture, they have been eaten these animals 100 years ago. If we ask they to stop right away, it will turn into war. If we instill them with environmental education, they will think about it and finally stop their behave both the sellers and the buyers.
Lao authorities never try to stop the sellers from selling wild animals. They don't even think about the environment and biodiversity. They are very low educated authorities.
OK I WILL TELL THEM STOP KILLING THESE ANIMAL ,IF WE ALL HERE DONATE MONEY TO THEM AND EXPLAN TO THEM WHAT IS GOING ON IF KILLING THESE ,IF THEY HAVE ENOUGH INCOME I MEAN EVERY ONE IN LAOS THEY WILL NOT DO THESE LOOK NOW THOSE PEOPLE LIVE IN JUNGLE NO FOOD NO INCOME IF YOU WERE THEM YOU WILL DO THE SAME OK LET GO TO LAOS AND BRING SOME MONEY GO TO COUNTRY SIDE GIVE TO THEM AND TELL THEM STOP DON`T TALK OVER HERE IS NOT WORK ,AND WE ALL KNOW LAOS IS POOR COUNTRY PEOPLES IN COUNTRYSIDE HUNT FOR FOOD WE ARE HERE M`DONALD KFC TOCO BELL BUFFET EVERYWHERE BBQ NOT LIKE THEM WHE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT WHY THEY KILL THESE ANYMAL
look at chinese, they are rich, they have more options, but they still keep eating wild animals, because they think the taste is so fucckin good, thats why...
Lao people in the countryside hunting the wild anymals for sale to rich people, right? i am sure that the richermen have other opitions for not buying those animals, but they still keep buying....
don't you guy afraid of the dangerious virus they might carry. I think it nasty. I don't even eat duck. I think it smell bad to me. that how people got aids from eatting monkey. when it get into your immune system that.
don't you guy afraid of the dangerious virus they might carry. I think it nasty. I don't even eat duck. I think it smell bad to me. that how people got aids from eatting monkey. when it get into your immune system that.
Duck, we like the raw blood , now i think people don't eat it that much after the outbreak of bird flu
1st. you, all Lao, have to stop wanting to try new menu. 2nd. suggest the hunter to have other job for making money. 3th. Law have to be stronger to stop hunting 4th. Make a wild animal farm for saling
good idea, but not for sale, if u have a wild animals farm, Laos will be attracting more more tourisms in the next few year, it is impossible project.. lol
if the consumption out pace the nature's ability to replace the forest trees, fish and animals, what comes next is a slow creeping nightmare, as chaos and political tension throw everyone into a struggle for survival.
everyone will be for themselves and food scarcity becomes the undoing of the political and economic progess throughout the country.
If we have no law to protect these animals, sooner or later, all of these animals will be disappeared from Laos, and our new generation will ask you "Where all these animals has gone?"
The Lao will hunt and eat virtually anything that moves. So going to a local market is quite an eye-opener. At times I wished I had my field book on mammals to identify what I saw. While trekking in Laos, we saw no wildlife at all, except for the occasional bird. They were all at the market!
But we did see plenty of people out with traps and snares, nets, catapults and slingshots to catch any animal they see. Nothing is spared.
My friends had arrived in Luang Prabang before me. Knowing I had an interest in bats, they told me they had seen bats for sale at the local market. I was really excited to hear this, and next morning paid an early, pre-breakfast visit to the market. Little did I know that for the next three weeks I would see bats in every market, every day.
There were fruit bats and insect-eating bats. Some were dead, some still alive. Some were sold individually, others sold in bundles tied up with string. There were even miniature ones sold in lots of five, grilled between two wooden sticks. However, I didn’t see any of the large fruit bats, so maybe the supply was already exhausted.
Apart from bats, there were rats too. These were all dead, but some were very fresh with blood still oozing out, others were skinned, and a few were dried while some were almost mummified. I saw ordinary rats as well as white-bellied rats. The latter were quite attractive with their brown and white coats.
A variety of birds, mammals and rodents can be found at the market.
However, I was most fascinated by the bamboo rats, as these were still alive. Some were held captive in cages, whilst others were tethered.
The first one lunged at me as I tried to get close to take a photo. It attempted to take a chunk out of my camera with its large yellow teeth. From then on, I kept a distance from their strong choppers. These bamboo rats have stocky bodies, and large feet and claws designed for digging bamboo roots.
Other rodents commonly seen were squirrels. There were various types, the most attractive being the ones with the reddish fur.
Surprisingly, I saw very few chickens in the markets and villages. Although we saw pigs, there wasn’t an abundance of chickens. However, we did hear the noisy roosters, which woke us each morning.
Some market stalls were devoted to buffaloes. The whole animal was there for sale in various pieces, from horn to hooves.
At the markets, frogs were large and kept alive in bowls. Others were tied together with string. I only saw one snake, a species of Racer.
Laos is a landlocked country. In markets in the northeast, I saw sea fish, so probably these came from Vietnam. And in Luang Prabang, there were large fish straight from the Mekong River.
Last but not least, were the birds – Green Cochoa, Golden-throated Barbets, Asian Barred Owlet and partridges (maybe Mountain Bamboo partridge).
I have to admit we did try some of these exotic foods. First was squirrel, which wasn’t too bad, although it was rather bony.
We then ordered bamboo rat. This definitely wasn’t a favourite as the meat was tough and rubbery; there were lots of bones, and the skin was tough and fatty. I didn’t enjoy eating this, partly because I felt sorry for the animal. But I did keep the feet and a tail for a souvenir!
Sad So the goverment shoud educated the people and make the law to protect those animals which are in the danger spieces.
I often hear people say they go on a trek and see no animals. That's because the Lao Sung have gotten all the animals close to the trail. Other animals that have large territories heard the group of trekkers while they were still far away and left. Anyone who knows how to look for animals can find the tracks. There are tons of animals in Laos.
The Lao government does have laws about many animals, and they fine hunters very heavily for killing protected species. I'ts just that many animals are plentifull and hunting and eating them doesn't affect populations.
That said I rarely eat "sin pa" only if someone insists. I figure Laos Sung need the meat more than I do, so I eat the rice and some of the soup. No one seems to mind if I leave the meat. Where I come from wild meat is big and there is much of it and we have scientists who control the cull. I try to eat only in my own country.
Lao authorities never try to stop the sellers from selling wild animals. They don't even think about the environment and biodiversity. They are very low educated authorities.
Just so you know. I know for the fact that Lao government do have rules and regulations pertaining to capturing and selling wild animals.
Really? I didn't know that porcupine is eatable. How did you or the chef skin that scary thing without getting poked from those needles? and what does it taste like?
-- Edited by Lavender on Saturday 22nd of August 2009 09:06:28 PM
Really? I didn't know that porcupine is eatable. How did you or the chef skin that scary thing without getting poked from those needles? and what does it taste like?
I never eat at restaurants unless they are very cheap. Usually I eat at home or the houses of freinds.
I didn't see them prepare the porcupine. My host's wife placed meat in my dish and on my plate so I ate it. As I said upthread I try to never eat wild meat in Laos as much as I like it. I've also seen the quills of porcupines along the trail where someone shot one and stopped right there, built a fire, cooked it and ate it. The quils weren't burnt, there was no left over skin so I assume they pulled them out. Maybe they heated it a little first?
Some species are plentifull and I believe they reproduce very fast, like bamboo rat and red ants, , , but I don't know, so I avoid wild meat, eating only the rice. In many peoples houses the women and children eat what is left over from the men, so I am happy to leave meat for them, that is the way my culture.
I believe the person who posted this is helping to destroy the wildlife in Laos. He ate wild food at a restaurant. By doing that he supports the restaurant that specializes in wild food and also the people who sell to the restaurant. Above all else we should not buy wild meat at the market or go to the restaurant that sells wild meat.
The porcupine was a little fatty, a little tough, and had a lot of flavor. My grandfather told me about eating them as a boy, that was 100 years ago in America.
A freind who has only been here in America for a half a year is newly pregnant. She has a craving for moke gia, you know the moke made from bats. I've got a lot of bats in my attic but no way am I going to catch them.
If there is no demand there will be no supply. Laos is a haven for people with exotic palate, and exotic foods are relatively cheap in this region. True that some species reproduce faster than the others, but to continue to hunt them will cause them to move deeper and deeper into the forests for protection and survival. This is the reason why many trekkers dont see wild animals at the site. I have heard and read foreigners quite disappointed after the trek because their expectatin were not met, considering that Laos still has relatively vast forest reserves.
If hunting continue these animals will shift residence and their living space will go smaller which could result into wild competition for scarce food sources. If this happens they will still die in natural ways, either from starvation or fights. I remember seeing a documentary on this maybe in Animal Planet or National Geographic were animals were driven to cramp in an area, insufficient for natural survival, because of drought or rampant hunting. Some were able to adapt either by eating food they do not normally eat or die due toadaptation failure to the new situation.
If these animals are not protected soon and become extincts, consequences will be dim for those who depend on them. Locals may be ignorant about this long term consequences, so they must be educated because in the long run they will be the first ones to taste the effects of their own doing.
I never eat at restaurants unless they are very cheap. Usually I eat at home or the houses of freinds.
