Factors Influencing the Pattern of Wildlife Product Consumption in Indochina: Case Study of Lao PDR

The illegal wildlife trade is the most significant direct threat to biodiversity in Indochina. This problem will likely worsen without immediate and effective measures to control wildlife consumption. This study determines the socio-demographic factors and knowledge of consumers on wildlife animals and the pattern of wildlife consumption in Laos. The framework constructed is based on a theory of planned behaviour. About 200 consumers from major markets in northern, middle, and southern parts of Laos were interviewed using a structured questionnaire to collect information on gender, age, ethnicity, religion, level of education, occupation, income, frequency of wildlife consumption, etc. Multinomial logistic regression results showed that consumers' places of birth and education levels have a significant relationship with the pattern of wildlife consumption. The results indicate that local consumers with a high education are more likely to buy wildlife products as a gift than those with low education who are more likely to consume wildlife products as a source of medicine/food. Regarding the use of wildlife products on occasions of traditional ritual/release, local consumers with high education levels are less likely to consume wildlife products than those with lower education levels. The findings suggest that the government should target local people and collate different propaganda for people with varying levels of education to reduce the use of wildlife products.