The administration of Dong Nai Province in southern Vietnam on Thursday unveiled its elephant conservation action plan to protect and restore elephant habitats, mitigate threats, and foster harmonious coexistence between humans and elephants.

The move is in alignment with the recently-launched Vietnam Elephant Conservation Action Plan to 2035, with a vision to 2050, led by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Between 1990 and 2008, surveys supported by non-governmental organizations and research institutes revealed escalating human-elephant conflicts that caused significant harm to both sides.

Since 2013, Dong Nai has rolled out many measures to protect its elephants, including building 72 kilometers of electric fences, installing six water basins, and building three monitoring stations.

In partnership with Humane Society International, a non-profit organization working around the globe to improve the welfare of animals, Dong Nai launched conservation initiatives from 2020 to 2023 and reaped positive results.

Experts confirmed the elephant population size at 27 individuals, revising earlier estimates of 14, through the analysis of over 450,000 camera-trap images.

Experts confirmed the elephant population size in Dong Nai at 27 individuals, revising earlier estimates of 14, through the analysis of over 450,000 camera-trap images. Photo: Supplied

Dong Nai highlighted various goals in its elephant conservation action plan, such as the implementation of comprehensive solutions to protect and restore elephant habitats, mitigate threats, and perfect relevant legal frameworks.

The province also outlined six priority tasks in this action plan.

These included enhancing knowledge of elephant populations; expanding and maintaining habitats; building capacity among stakeholders; raising awareness through communication campaigns; reducing human-elephant conflicts and promoting coexistence between elephants and humans.

Over the past 40 years, Vietnam’s wild elephant population has declined sharply from 2,000 to just 100-130 individuals. 

Dong Nai is home to Vietnam's second-largest wild elephant population, consisting of 27 individuals, including eight adult males and three adult females.

According to Humane Society International, Dong Nai's herd stands out as a healthy and well-protected group, with an average body condition score of 8 out of 10, signaling favorable living conditions.

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