Nirvana Dominique F.

BulacanBS Econ IV CD 147

High-end Laos Resort serves up Illegal wildlife for Chinese tourists

In Southeast Asia, Laos has this kind of resort city where it offered recreational services
which attracts a large bunch of tourists. It is called the "Golden Triangle Special Economic
Zone". The Golden Triangle is the region composed of Laos, Burma, and Thailand hence, mostly
Chinese are the ones who run the businesses in the place which includes casino, spa, gardens and
restaurants. However, behind this grandeur is the rampant trade of endangered species' parts and
consumption of the endangered species is common.

According to the report of Environment Investigation Agency (EIA), the Golden

Triangle Special Economic Zone is a “lawless playground" because of unrestrained wildlife
trafficking. In God of Fortune restaurant for instance there was a live caged bear cub and python
which are “available to eat on request,” and also there are menus for bear paw, monitor lizards,
pangolins, geckos, and a variety of snakes and turtles. Tiger bone wine is also available which
makes the whole experience in the restaurant complete. On the other restaurant, “sauté tiger
meat” is offered and they advertise tiger wine through an aquarium with tiger skeleton. The
tigers who have been slaughtered to mixed with rice wine are being farmed inside the zone.
Investigators also found out that tiger products were also sold such as tiger skins. Rhino horn
shavings, beads and carvings from the helmeted hornbill, and a single leopard skin are also for
sale.

The Wildlife and Aquatic Law which regulated regarding the use of animals tigers,
elephants, rhinos, and bears for trade is prohibited however the confusion comes out when the
government permits these animals to be used for trade and consumption especially in the Golden
Triangle Special Economic Zone. It is also with accordance to the law that  government
employees should not enter and run a wildlife business but such an irony that the government
also shares profit from this area.

(Hance, Jeremy (2015). High-end Laos resort serves up illegal wildlife for Chinese tourists.
Retrieved from http://www.theguardian.com)

There is a weak law enforcement obviously. What will the government do if they
benefitted from it? Laos is not solely the responsible for that kind of business. The other two
countries composed the Golden Triangle (China and Burma) should also carry the burden. This
kind of industry or business should not be put up in the first place. What these businessmen
created was an insatiable demand for the people who once gained from illegal wildlife trade will
not stopped to acquire some money and benefit from it even at stake of endangered species.

Indeed, problems like this always run in circles. Always unresolved. Laws are created but
poor enforcements. Movements are raised but still not fully supported. People create problems
and eventually tries to solve it. Human nature is stubborn perhaps. What else should be done in
order to eliminate those illegal trade of wildlife animals? Well, it is not easy though to eradicate
those because there are still hardheaded person who will continue this kind of market. Educating
Nirvana Dominique F. BulacanBS Econ IV CD 147

the people, the very simple words but not easy to do. Humane transition should be undergone by
everyone in order to stopped this brutality. That is an utopian idea, though it is the only way to
change people's perception about wildlife, about nature.

What imposed by the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone is acquiring benefit at
risks of the wildlife animals. It always come to pass that the nature become our provider, shield
and protector but the people who are entitled guardians, destroyed, slaughtered, and ruined it.