Hidden deep within Southeast Asia lies one of the world’s most mysterious and biologically rich regions, the Annamite Mountains. Stretching across Laos, Vietnam, and into northeastern Cambodia, this remote forest range has long remained largely unexplored. But a recent 2025 camera-trap survey, led by Fauna & Flora in collaboration with local and global partners, has offered a rare glimpse into the incredible biodiversity that thrives there.
Often referred to as the “Amazon of Asia,” the Annamites are home to some of the rarest animals on the planet, including the Annamite striped rabbit and the almost mythical saola. The newly released images not only showcase these remarkable creatures but also provide valuable insights into their behavior and habitats.
At the same time, this fragile ecosystem faces growing threats from deforestation and habitat loss, putting both wildlife and local communities at risk. Scroll down to explore the fascinating animals captured during the survey and discover what makes this region so unique.
#1 Clouded Leopard
The beautiful markings on their coat make clouded leopards a prime target for the illegal wildlife trade. They are trafficked alive as exotic pets, and their pelts are sold illegally for decoration and luxury clothing. It is thought that clouded leopards are also k***ed for their teeth, claws and bones, which are passed off as tiger parts.
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22points
#2 Sunda Pangolin And Baby In Pu Mat National Park, Vietnam
Affectionately known as pangopups, baby pangolins hitch a ride on their mum’s tail. The critically endangered Sunda pangolin, pictured here, is one of eight species of pangolin. These scaly anteaters are the world’s most trafficked mammal, targeted for their meat and scales.
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21points
#5 Marbled Cat In Pu Mat National Park, Vietnam
Named for their exquisitely patterned coats, marbled cats are expert tree climbers. Their thick, bushy and unusually long tail serves as a counterbalance as they move through the forest canopy in search of birds and squirrels.
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19points
#7 Leopard Cat With Prey In Chu Mom Ray National Park
The Asian leopard cat, pictured here with its rodent prey, is unfortunately heavily traded and has become the feline equivalent of the canary in the coal mine, acting as an early-warning system for the surging black market in exotic pets. There is growing concern about the numbers being illegally traded, with wild-caught individuals being bred with domestic cats to produce hybrid Bengal cats.
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18points
#12 Play-Fighting Sun Bears
Named for their distinctive orange-yellow chest patch, these play-fighting sun bears have poor eyesight and hearing, but a powerful sense of smell. Their claws are strong enough to rip open a concrete-hard termite mound or excavate a bees’ nest. Sun bears are threatened by deforestation and, in particular, poaching for their gall bladder and paws to supply the illegal wildlife trade.
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15points
#13 Baby Asian Elephant, Virachey National Park, Cambodia
Asian elephants need room to roam. Forest fragmentation is arguably the single greatest threat they face because it increases their exposure to poaching and to human-elephant conflict. Protecting and connecting the remaining forested landscapes in their range is critical to their long-term survival.
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15points
