Dak Lak Provincial People’s Committee has just signed a Decision approving technical assistance for a project that targets ending elephant-riding tourism services with financial support from the Animals Asia Foundation (AAF).
Domestic elephants in Dak Lak Province have a buffet during the World Elephant Day
Tran Xuan Phuoc, director of Elephant Preservation told local media on November 12 that the plan would be carried out in Buon Don District from November 2022 to December 2026.
"The project, which is funded by Animals Asia Foundation and the province's reciprocal capital, will aim at transforming elephant riding tourism into an elephant-friendly tourism model in the province," he said. "It will help contribute to elephant conservation in the area."
As the project is being implemented, Dak Lak province will refrain from organising elephant-riding tours, and some competitions using the animals including elephant swimming, tug of war or reenacting scenes of hunting and taming elephants.
In the elephant-friendly tourism model, the animals will be protected and cared for to have a better and longer life. Elephant owners will be supported to end the riding services.
The domesticated elephant population in the central highlands province has experienced a precipitous decline over the past four decades and has reached a concerning level.
The number dropped by more than 90 per cent between 1980-2021, equivalent to 465 elephants lost, or an average of 11 deaths a year. There are now just 37 domesticated elephants living in three districts of Buon Don, Lak and Krong A Na, and between 80-100 elephants in local forests.
