Friday November 18, 2022
The Star —
Luciocyprinus striolatus (locally known as pakang), one of fish species that are high risk of global extinction, have been found in the reservoir of the Nam Theun 2 hydropower plant in central Laos.
Pakang weighing as much as 100-200kg have been found in Nam Theun 2 reservoir.
Large areas of the reservoir form part of the Nakai-Nam Theun National Park in Khammuan province, one of the last remaining wildernesses in Southeast Asia and the most diverse ecosystem in Laos.
Director of the Park Management Division, Outhay Vongsa, told Vientiane Times on Thursday (Nov 17) that the pakang, known in English as a striped pikecarp, is one of the biggest freshwater fish in Laos. It is believed that there are less than 100 of these huge fish in the Nam Theun 2 reservoir, although this is only a rough estimate.