Dak Lak province will not hold activities such as elephant riding tourism, elephant swimming contest, soccer, parade on asphalt...
This is the content of the signing agreement "Cooperation on elephant-friendly tourism model" of Dak Lak Provincial People's Committee and Animals Asia on December 15. In which, the Provincial People's Committee will take measures within its powers and functions to minimize activities that affect the welfare of domestic elephants.
Mr. Y Giang Gry Nie Knong, Vice Chairman of Dak Lak Provincial People's Committee, said that the province supports Animals Asia's proposal, aiming to end all types of elephant riding tourism in the near future, and replace it with a tourism model. ecology with elephants, contributing to the conservation of this animal species locally.
Tourists riding elephants on Lak Lake, late 2019. Photo: Tran Hoa
Dak Lak has about 140 elephants left, down 90% of the number compared to 1980, is a worrying phenomenon locally and nationally. Since 2004 until now, Animals Asia has cooperated with Dak Lak Elephant Conservation Center to send international elephant care experts to provide health checks, provide technical advice on elephant care and management.
From July 2018, Animals Asia also sponsored a project to transform the model of elephant-friendly tourism in Yok Don National Park with USD 65,000 to end elephant riding tourism. Currently, there are 6 domestic elephants being brought back to live freely in the national park, with adequate nutrition and care, so their health has improved markedly. This form is receiving the attention and support of domestic and foreign tourists.
