Closing of Elephant Conservation Week 2025 in Dong Nai

(DN) - On September 21, at Dong Nai Nature and Culture Reserve, Tri An commune, Elephant Conservation Week 2025 officially closed. This is an event associated with the 12th meeting of the Asian Elephant Specialist Group (AsESG) of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), taking place in Vietnam.

The Asian Elephant Experts Group poses for a photo after their meeting on September 20th in Ta Lai commune, Dong Nai province. Photo: Hoang Loc

The week-long event, starting on September 17th, included various activities such as: sharing experiences and discussing solutions for conserving wild elephants; exhibitions of paintings, photographs, and documentaries about elephant life; a Run for Elephants in Dong Nai, a Dance for Kindness to Elephants and Wildlife; field trips to areas where wild elephants frequently appear in Cat Tien National Park and the Dong Nai Nature and Culture Reserve; and learning about the cultural and historical lives of people living near the forests… The overarching message of the event was: Harmonious coexistence. Safety for elephants - safety for people.

The Asian Elephant Experts Team conducts a field visit to an area where electric fences prevent elephants from entering farmers' production areas. Photo: Hoang Loc

According to Nguyen Thi Hoang, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Dong Nai Province, Dong Nai is currently home to the second largest wild elephant population in the country, with approximately 25-27 individuals. In reality, the number may be 1-2 individuals higher due to reproduction. For many years, the province has collaborated with international organizations and research institutes to implement various conservation measures for this endangered species and reduce human-elephant conflicts.

The event attracted 130 experts from 13 countries with elephant populations in Asia. Through numerous meetings, delegates agreed on the need to strengthen international cooperation, promote research, expand conservation initiatives, and spread the message of nature conservation and sustainable development.

Elephant Conservation Week 2025 contributed to raising public awareness and affirmed Vietnam's determination to preserve a "safe home" for wild elephants, aiming for harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.

A group from the "Dancing for Kindness to Elephants and Wildlife" group poses for a photo with a model of an elephant from Dong Nai. Photo: Hoang Loc

For Dong Nai province, being selected as the venue for the 12th meeting of the Asian Elephant Experts Group partly affirms Dong Nai's position in elephant conservation, while also creating opportunities for the province to receive international experience and spread the message of "harmonious coexistence".

Hoang Loc

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/kinh-te/202509/be-mac-tuan-le-bao-ton-voi-nam-2025-tai-dong-nai-8f90d4f/