Join hands to protect the remaining domesticated elephant herd in Vietnam

A representative of Animals Asia said that improving living conditions and minimizing inappropriate forms of animal use are necessary to move towards sustainable tourism development.

On May 16, in Buon Ma Thuot City, Animals Asia Foundation (AAF), in collaboration with the Elephant Conservation, Animal Rescue and Forest Protection Center (ECC) and Tay Nguyen University, organized a discussion with the topic "Animal welfare in entertainment activities - The story of captive elephants".

The event aims to raise public awareness, enhance professional exchange and promote sustainable solutions in elephant conservation, while contributing to improving wildlife welfare in Vietnam.

Mr. David Neale, Global Director of Animal Perception and Welfare – Animals Asia

At the seminar, Mr. David Neale, Global Director of Animal Perception and Welfare - Animals Asia said that elephants are an important cultural and natural symbol. Elephants have accompanied humans for centuries. The story of elephants being kept in captivity for tourism is a sensitive topic, raising questions about the boundaries between conservation, economics and ethics, and suggesting more positive directions for the future. He said that improving living conditions and minimizing inappropriate forms of animal use are necessary to move towards sustainable tourism development.

Mr. Nguyen Cong Chung, Deputy Director of ECC, said that there are currently only 35 domesticated elephants left, a decrease of nearly 500 elephants compared to the 1980s.

Mr. Nguyen Cong Chung, Deputy Director of ECC, said that by 2025, Dak Lak currently has 35 domesticated elephants, a sharp decrease compared to more than 500 individuals recorded in the early 1980s. To preserve elephants and improve the welfare of captive elephants, Mr. Chung also introduced the elephant-friendly tourism model being implemented in the province to replace elephant riding and elephant performances.

To date, 14 out of 35 domesticated elephants in Dak Lak have been transferred to the elephant-friendly tourism model and have improved living conditions and good health. Of these, 11 are participating in the non-elephant-riding tourism model at Yok Don National Park and 3 are being cared for at the Elephant Conservation Center.

Healthy elephants transition from elephant riding tourism to elephant-friendly tourism

Mr. Chung hopes that: "Each citizen is a media ambassador, together promoting awareness to eliminate tourism and entertainment activities that directly impact elephant health in order to bring welfare and protect the remaining elephant population in our country."

Animals Asia is an international charity working on animal welfare in Asia since 1998. In Vietnam, AAF focuses on ending bear bile farming, improving animal welfare, and promoting the transformation of elephant-friendly tourism in Dak Lak.

Since 2016, the organization has provided approximately 350,000 USD for elephant conservation in the province. Of these, 14 domesticated elephants in Dak Lak have participated in the model and have had their living conditions improved.

MAI CUONG

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/chung-tay-bao-ve-dan-voi-nha-con-lai-o-viet-nam-post795532.html