r/investigation

Our investigator uncovered a disturbing reality. Chinese tourists and triad openly show off live pangolins and pangolin cuisines on Chinese social media. They treat Laos as a Wild West.

We have compiled these social media clips together. Our goal is not just to expose them, but to demand that internet giants take immediate action to purge this illegal content.

I assume some conservationists or journalists have heard of the rampant wildlife trafficking situation in the past few years in Laos. It was mainly driven by Chinese tour groups, who normally spend 5-6 days touring the route - Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng and to Vientiane. Behind the booming tourism, tourists were taken to illicit shopping spots where they were deceived by sellers and spent at least a few thousand US dollars buying illegal wildlife products, including rhino horn, bear bile, pangolin scales, ivory, and more. Many tourists also eat pangolins at Chinese restaurants.

Last month, I did an undercover investigation with my friend’s NGO to get a closer look at how Chinese tourists had a “wildlife tour”.

Please feel free to watch it. Thank you.