A look into the last 12 months at the Elephant Conservation Center

Welcome to our latest update at the Elephant Conservation Center, where we reflect on a year filled with remarkable achievements and ongoing efforts in elephant conservation.

We have made significant strides over the past 12 months, from the successful “Save Boua” campaign, securing Mae Boua Ngeun’s future, to our groundbreaking rewilding program celebrating five years of success. Our dedicated Ranger Patrol Team continues to safeguard the Nam Pouy National Protected Area, and new partnerships and educational initiatives are enhancing our conservation impact. Join us as we delve into these stories and more, highlighting the collective effort to protect and preserve Laos’ precious elephant population.

The Covid-19 pandemic presented an unprecedented challenge for the Elephant Conservation Center (ECC). With tourism halted, our primary funding source disappeared, putting us on the brink of bankruptcy. In response, we launched several rescue initiatives, including crowdfunding campaigns and calls for help, to secure the future of our 30 elephants and dedicated team. Thanks to the overwhelming support from our generous donors, we managed to keep all our staff employed, unlike other elephant camps that sent their mahouts home and rented out their elephants. Only a few hospitality staff were temporarily laid off, but we rehired them once the crisis passed.

This unwavering commitment to our team and elephants underscores the strength of our community and our dedication to conservation, even in the face of immense challenges. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed and helped us navigate through this difficult period.

Save Boua Campaign: FREE AT LAST

We are thrilled to announce the success of the fundraising campaign for Mae Boua Ngeun, culminating in the transfer of $90,000 on April 30, 2024, and the official transfer of ownership to ECC on May 8, 2024. Thanks to your generosity, Mae Boua Ngeun will continue her peaceful life at ECC, free from exploitation. Despite the flawed system that requires us to purchase elephants to save them, we can celebrate that Mae Boua Ngeun will never endure a life of servitude. We give a heartfelt thank you to all who donated, ensuring Mae Boua Ngeun’s safe future.

We give a special thanks to Sun Bear Outreach and Work for Wild Life nonprofits, who partnered with ECC for this campaign, driven by empathy and guaranteeing that 100% of donations directly supported Mae Boua Ngeun.

Rewilding Program: An update on our released elephants in Nam Pouy NPA

The ECC made Lao history by releasing 4 elephants into the wild in the Nam Pouy National Protected Area. After a lengthy process aiming at creating a compatible elephant herd, elephants were eventually released on March, 18th, 2019.

March 19th, 2024, marked a significant milestone in the release project’s journey, celebrating five years of success in reintroducing elephants Dor Khoun Mueang and Mae Mah to their natural habitat within Nam Poui National Protected Area. The ongoing monitoring efforts have revealed a remarkable story of resilience and thriving wildlife. Over the past five years, both elephants have flourished, exhibiting robust health and engaging in behaviors characteristic of their species, such as foraging, socializing, and exploring the vast 20,000-hectare expanse they now call home.

As part of the continuous monitoring initiative, new GPS collars have been fitted onto Dor Khoun Mueang Mae Mah and the other two adult females that are part of the program, providing invaluable insights into their movements and habitat utilization patterns within the park. This technological advancement has empowered the mahouts with real-time data accessible via mobile phones, enabling them to track the elephants’ whereabouts and make informed decisions regarding their care and management.

Dor Khoun Mueang, now transitioning into a sub-adult male, is gradually embracing independence, often venturing alone while still maintaining close ties with his aunties. The deployment of the GPS collar serves as a vital tool in ensuring his safety and the well-being of neighboring communities during this exploratory phase of his life. The long-term objective is for Dor Khoun Mueang to establish his own territory and form social bonds with wild females for eventual mating.

Meanwhile, Mae Mah’s journey has been marked by encounters with a wild male, a recurring phenomenon over the years. Despite these interactions, there has been no indication of pregnancy thus far. With Mae Mah nearing the age of 40 and never having birthed a calf in her younger years, the prospect of motherhood grows increasingly uncertain. While hope remains, the reality looms that her role as a surrogate mother to Dor Khoun Mueang might be the closest she comes to experiencing motherhood herself. Yet, the team perseveres, holding onto optimism for future possibilities while acknowledging the intricate dynamics of wildlife reproduction.

Meanwhile, outside the forest, the release project team have been lobbying the government to consider elephant reintroduction as a part of their national elephant conservation strategy. The project team took some of Laos decision makers from the Wildlife, Forestry and Protected Area Management Divisions to see a successful reintroduction project in Thailand. This 3-day workshop saw representatives from Laos, Myanmar and Thailand discuss previous and future elephant reintroduction efforts. We hope these sorts of discussions can help push towards formal elephant releases in Laos in the future.

We are also thankful to receive the donation of bull elephant Keo Khoun by the Lao Conservation Trust for Wildlife to the ECC. This elephant is now in the Nam Pouy National Protected Area.

Ranger Patrol: An update on our Ranger Patrol Team in Nam Pouy NPA

The ECC is responsible for training and equipping the current Ranger Team. In collaboration with the Sayaboury Provincial Agriculture and Forestry Office, the ECC organizes field missions to strengthen law enforcement in the Nam Pouy National Protected Area, which houses Laos’ second-largest wild elephant population. These patrols mark the beginning of a safer habitat for elephants and other species. We aim to secure additional funds to increase the number of rangers patrolling this vast area of 192,000 hectares.

From January to June 2023, the team conducted 33 patrols over 166 days and 133 nights, covering 2,809 kilometers, resulting in 33 arrests, 11 firearm confiscations, and the shutdown of 9 logging operations. From July 2023 to February 2024, there were 52 patrols spanning 270 days and 135 nights, covering 4,179 kilometers, with 12 firearms confiscated and 16 logging operations shut down.

DNA Research & Veterinary Training programs

The ECC is collaborating with the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute to expand our current laboratory capacity by establishing a DNA lab. This lab will enable us to monitor the genetic diversity of both captive and wild populations.

The Denver Zoo is supporting the training of our Lao veterinarians, Mouk and Pavina, in various fields to better prepare them for future laboratory and fieldwork. Additionally, the ECC, in partnership with Free the Bears and the Lao Conservation Trust for Wildlife, has successfully integrated a wildlife module into the veterinary curriculum for fifth-year students at the Faculty of Agriculture of the National University of Laos. With the support of the Denver Zoo, we can provide improved education for future veterinarians in the country. Mouk and Pavina will be better equipped to teach this course, which will have a direct impact on conservation efforts in the coming years. Education is crucial for conservation, and by supporting the training of local veterinarians and laboratory technicians, the Denver Zoo is helping us build capacity in the country, which will significantly enhance conservation outcomes in the future.

We are also pleased to welcome two Laos vet students who will perform an internship in parasitology and hematology in elephants.

International Veterinary Workshop at the ECC

In December 2023, ECC and Yaboumba NGO from France organized the first international workshop on elephant veterinary medicine and surgery at our center. Led by prominent wildlife veterinarians Endre Sos and Norin Chai, the workshop welcomed a group of a dozen young vets from the world over, providing lectures and hands-on courses in the fields of diagnostic, ophtalmology, parasitology, foot and mouth care, and the use of an ultrasound machine. We warmly thank UNIVET Nature, Fuji Film and EUROFINS Foundation for their valuable contribution to the veterinary training courses undertaken at the ECC.

Lectures by Sébastien Duffillot at Kyoto University’s Wildlife Research Center

On May 20 and May 23, 2023, Sebastien Duffillot, co-founder of ElefantAsia and the Elephant Conservation Center, President of France-based NGO “Elephants & People” (Des Eléphants & Des Hommes) and a member of the Asian Elephant Specialist Group of the IUCN presented past, current and future research projects and conservation work undertaken in Laos to protect Asian elephants to an audience of international environment conservation students. We extend our warm gratitude to Dr Hidefusa SAKAMOTO, Director General of Kyoto City Zoo and Dr. Masayuki TANAKA, Director of the Wildlife Research Center for their support in organising this cycle of lectures in Kyoto, Japan.

‘Lao Youth on a Mission for Nature Conservation’ Program

The Elephant Conservation Center is proud to partner with the ‘Lao Youth on a Mission for Nature Conservation’ Program. In collaboration with the Lao Conservation Trust for Wildlife (LCTW), Free the Bears (FTB), and the National University of Laos, we are offering wildlife courses designed to empower young people aged 18 to 30 with a passion for nature conservation.

This program provides a unique opportunity to develop essential skills, connect with leading conservation organizations, and receive support for implementing your project ideas. Join us in making a difference for wildlife and the environment! For inquiries, please contact [email protected].

Regular veterinary check-ups on our 9 elephants in Thongmixay & Nam Pouy NPA

We have 4 elephants we released into the wild in 2019 in Nam Pouy National Protected Area (NPA), and we have 5 elephants living in a tropical forest in Thongmixay, the district neigboring the National Park. Our veterinary team do routine monthly checkups of each of these elephants to take blood and fecal samples to monitor their health. Our Head Veterinary Technician, Kan, and Pavina, a Veterinary Technician who graduated from Vientiane University, form the core of the team dedicated to this specific group of elephants.

‘Kids In Conservation’: Local Education initiative supported by Wyss Academy for Nature

The ECC proudly welcomes local students from schools across Sayaboury province to our educational day program. As part of our Kids in Conservation initiative, students will learn about Asian elephants and the importance of conservation. The program includes visits to the Elephant Nursery, Elephant Bath, Elephant Museum, Elephant Hospital, and Elephant Skeleton display, as well as a tour of the surrounding center.

Students will also tour Nam Tien Lake to observe the effects of deforestation in areas not managed by the ECC, learning about the critical need to conserve this tropical forest. This program is vital for educating future generations about Asian elephants and conservation efforts.

For many students from Sayaboury, this will be their first encounter with elephants, despite the province having the largest number of elephants under human care in Laos. This year, we have welcomed 27 groups, totaling over 640 students, thanks to the generous sponsorship from the Wyss Academy for Nature.

Wyss Academy For Nature: Visit & Support of our Conservation

In March this year, the Wyss Academy for Nature visited our center to witness firsthand the elephants, facilities, and the conservation programs they are actively supporting.

Their invaluable contributions to the ECC encompass a range of vital projects: the ECORE New Diagnostic Laboratory and Students’ Workplace, which enhances our research and educational capabilities; the Bamboo Forest initiative aimed at habitat restoration and sustainable resource management; the Ranger Team, crucial for on-the-ground protection and monitoring of wildlife; the Rewilding Program, which focuses on returning elephants to their natural habitats; and the Breeding Program, designed to support the genetic diversity and future populations of elephants. These collaborative efforts are instrumental in advancing our mission of conservation and education.

Bamboo Forest

We are excited to announce our upcoming Bamboo Forest Project at the Elephant Conservation Center, a transformative initiative aimed at turning degraded land into a lush bamboo forest. This project will attract both local and international visitors to Sayaboury, where they can explore a botanical garden showcasing 70 species of bamboo, learning about their ecological importance and traditional uses. Additionally, the Bamboo Forest will offer our volunteers a unique opportunity to engage in producing bamboo handicrafts and planting edible bamboo to nourish our elephants.

This project not only enhances the environment but also provides enriching experiences for our community and visitors, highlighting the vital role of bamboo in sustainable conservation efforts.

New Food Plantation: with support from Elephant Care International

Last year, a staffing shortage delayed the planting of our food plantation. This issue was compounded by a particularly dry season with minimal rainfall, resulting in insufficient food production for our elephants. Consequently, we had to purchase supplies from local growers at a significantly higher cost.

The main reason we need to plant additional food is the increasing deforestation caused by people cultivating cassava and feeding their cattle during the COVID-19 pandemic. Before the pandemic, we employed farmers to grow elephant fodder and allowed elephants to graze on private land after harvests. However, the pandemic forced farmers to return to their land, creating competition for food and grazing areas between elephants and cattle. Additionally, farmers expanded their crops during this period, further reducing the available grazing space for the elephants.

This year, with support from the NGO Elephant Care International, we have been able to replant our food plantation on a much larger scale. At our center in Sayaboury, we have planted bananas, napier grass, and sugar cane to feed our herd of 22 elephants. Despite a dry start to the season, we remain hopeful for more rain to ensure a bountiful harvest throughout the coming year.

ECC on KLOOK

We are thrilled to announce that the Elephant Conservation Center (ECC) of Laos is now featured on the renowned travel platform, Klook! This is a great achievement for us and a testament to our dedication to elephant conservation and quality ecotourism. At the ECC, we are committed to protecting and preserving Laos’ precious elephant population. Our work spans from groundbreaking rewilding programs to relentless efforts in safeguarding natural habitats. Every visit, every support, directly contributes to our mission of ensuring a sustainable future for these majestic creatures. Being present on Klook is a way to reach out to new audiences and potential visitors, at discounted rates!!

Visit our page here

New Accommodation: Deluxe Lodge

We are excited to introduce our two new deluxe lodges, completed in just three months by our onsite team. Each lodge features a private bathroom, a double bed and two twin beds, providing very comfortable modern wooden accommodations. Guests can enjoy exclusive infinity views of the serene Nam Tien Lake from private balconies, ensuring complete seclusion from neighboring bungalows. Our deluxe lodges offer a refined retreat, perfect for tourists seeking a more upscale accommodation experience amidst Laos’ natural beauty.

SUPPORT OUR CAUSE

Help Us Protect Asian Elephants and Sustain Conservation Projects

Sponsor an Elephant

Our Sponsor an Elephant donation program is crucial for our conservation efforts. Each elephant costs us approximately $600 per month for food and medical costs, totalling over $200,000 annually for our 30 elephants. Due to a previous dry season and limited produce from our food plantation, we have had to purchase food from local growers, where fresh produce costs have significantly increased.

Additionally, if an elephant falls ill, medical expenses rise sharply. The soaring prices of basic medical supplies in Laos, driven by economic conditions and poor currency rates, further strain our resources.

Therefore, your donations to sponsor an elephant are vital and needed year-round to sustain our conservation programs.

Kids In Conservation: Welcome More Schools

We need additional funding to expand our Kids in Conservation program. With the current budget provided by Wyss Academy, we have been able to welcome only 30 classes. However, our goal is to reach all 177 classes in the area each year. The cost per session, including food, transportation, day visits, educational materials, and administrative expenses, is $1,200 for 24 children and 2 teachers. Your support is essential to help us educate more students about the importance of conservation and the protection of Asian elephants.

Rewilding Program: Securing the long-term success of our released elephants

To ensure the long-term success of our elephant rewilding program, we urgently need funding to cover essential costs. This includes securing salaries for our dedicated field teams, managing logistics, conducting regular veterinary checks, and covering administrative expenses. Maintaining this critical project requires an annual budget of $24,000.

Our rewilding efforts are crucial for the future of released elephants, helping them adapt and thrive in their natural habitats. By supporting this program, you contribute to the well-being of these magnificent animals and the preservation of their ecosystems. Your generosity is vital to help us continue this important work and ensure the sustainable rewilding of elephants.

Media Visits to the ECC

2022

ARTE (France / Germany)

Title: ÉPIZOOTIES – LA NATURE FACE À LA CONTAMINATION (EPIZOOTIES – NATURE FACING CONTAMINATION)
Type: Documentary
Date: June 2022

NETFLIX

Title: Asian Elephant Behaviour
Date: 4-16 July 2022

2023

ZDF/ARTE (France / Germany)

Date: 2-3 February 2023

VAKITA

Date: May 2023
Description: CEO & Founder of ECC, Sebastien Duffillot interviewed by VAKITA in France about the inhumane living conditions of a temple elephant in India
Links:
- 30 Millions d’Amis article
- Hugo Clément tweet

ITV UK

We were honored to be featured on Paul O’Grady’s final ever episode on ITV1 which was live on the 7th April 2024. Fran Winston from Express UK explains the significance of this last show: “Paul O’Grady had ITV viewers in tears as part one of his final show for the channel aired on Easter Sunday. The star made Paul O’Grady’s Great Elephant Adventure in the months before his sudden and unexpected death a year ago. The two-part series followed him as he traveled through Thailand and Laos, learning about the work done by elephant conservation centers to rescue, rehabilitate, and protect the gentle giant animals.” This episode (2) can be watched on ITV1’s website.

2024