Thong Khoun

History: Thong Khoun spent most of his life working in the logging industry. When the government banned logging, he and his mahout found themselves without work. He was then rented by a Chinese tourist camp in Sayaboury province, where he worked as a stud. After two years, the camp closed, and Thong Khoun returned to his village. Recognising his potential, we contacted his owner to include Thong Khoun in our breeding programme at the Elephant Conservation Centre (ECC). Now, he spends his days in the forest with the female elephants, playing a crucial role in our conservation efforts. Thong Khoun is also part of our “male research” project. Twice a week, our team collects faecal samples to monitor his testosterone and other hormone levels, gaining valuable insights into male elephant health and behaviour. Thong Khoun is the only rented elephant at the ECC. We would like to buy it from his owner to include him permanently in our herd.