On May 17, the Dak Lak Province Elephant Conservation, animal Rescue and Forest Protection Management Center (Dak Lak Elephant Conservation Center) said that the locality currently has 15/35 domestic elephants serving tourists riding elephants in Lak district.
According to statistics from the Asian animal Organization, in 1985, Dak Lak province had about 500 domestic elephants. However, to date, this number is only 35 individuals. In particular, many individuals still have to participate in elephant riding tourism activities in tourist areas.
In addition to serving customers, elephants are often chained, not exposed to their counterparts, leading to stress, behavioral disorders and psychological disorders. Eliminating elephant riding and improving living conditions for elephants is necessary to move towards a sustainable, humane and animal-friendly tourism model.
Mr. Nguyen Cong Chung - Deputy Director of the Center for Elephant Conservation, animal Rescue and Forest Protection Management of Dak Lak province said that the unit is coordinating with the Asian Animal Organization to convert from elephant riding tourism to an elephant-friendly tourism model. There are currently 11 elephants participating in the non-riding model at Yok Don National Park.
In Lak district, elephant owners have not yet agreed with the support level proposed by the authorities. Therefore, up to now, 15 domestic elephants here continue to serve tourist transportation activities, Mr. Chung informed.
The Asian Animal Organization has committed to sponsoring over 2 million USD to Dak Lak province to deploy an elephant-friendly tourism model.
From 2016 to present, this organization has supported the province with about 350,000 USD to implement this model. To date, the whole Dak Lak province has 14 domestic elephants that have been supported, switching to an elephant-friendly tourism model.
