A file photo of Dang Nang Long besides an elephant at his tourism site in Dak Lak Province. Photo by Vuong Truong.
Long was born in Jun Village in Lien Son Town to a family with a long tradition of taming wild elephants. Since childhood, he has been famous for curing elephants despite his lack of certifications.
Seeing the sharp decrease in domestic elephants, the man resigned as the Ho Lak eco-tourism area director. For over a decade, he devoted most of his time and fortunes to protecting and caring for tame elephants.
He used to run elephant-riding services for tourists around Lak Lake; however, following a call from local authorities and the Animals Asia Foundation, he turned to developing an elephant-friendly tourism model with elephant-watching and taming activities to promote elephant conservation.
Visitors watch an elephant in Dak Lak. Photo by Thuy Diem
The animals are protected and cared for to live better and longer lives thanks to the new model.
Amid the sharp fall in domestic elephants, Long has cooperated with experts and vets to get the animals to breed more, but they haven't succeeded.
Long recently started a project to expand the elephant-friendly tourism model to Ea Kao Commune in Buon Ma Thuot City.