Many of the Greater Mekong region’s species face extinction in the next few years unless urgent measures are taken to safeguard their populations and habitats.

The following focal species have been selected as conservation priorities by WWF as they represent some of the region’s most threatened wildlife.

Because they are found in some of the world’s most unique and imperiled habitats, this provides a basis for conserving them.

Tigers

Find out about tigers in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam, and what WWF is doing to save them.

© WWF

 » tigers in the Greater Mekong region

Irrawaddy dolphins

These living legends are now a shadow of their former abundance in the rivers of the Greater Mekong region. Discover this dolphin and measures to save them.

© WWF

» dolphins in the Greater Mekong region

SAOLA

Only recently discovered, the saola is already at risk. Its rarity, distinctiveness and vulnerability make it one of WWF's greatest priorities for conservation in the Indochina region.

© WWF

» saola in the Greater Mekong region

ASIAN ELEPHANT

With increasingly fewer individuals of this majestic species in the wild, WWF is marshalling its resources to ensure that its habitat does not degrade to the point it cannot support the elephant.

© WWF

» Asian elephant in the Greater Mekong region

GIANT MEKONG CATFISH

Scientists estimate that the total population of Mekong giant catfish, the largest fish in the world, has decreased by around 90% in the last decade. For WWF, this makes the need to protect the Mekong River all the more urgent.

© WWF

» catfish in the Greater Mekong region

CRESTED GIBBON

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