Under the agreement, the funding will help improve Dak Lak’s capacity in preserving its elephant population in the 2022-2026 period. The funding is intended to gradually convert its elephant tourism service into an elephant-friendly model. Elephants will also not be used in parades or cultural festivals in Dak Lak.
The signing ceremony of the agreement
Vice-chairman of the provincial people’s committee Y Giang Gry Nie Knong highly appreciated the foundation’s financial assistance at the signing ceremony. He pledged that the province would make better efforts at elephant conservation to stop elephant tourism services in the coming time.
Animals Asia's Vietnam Director Tuan Bendixsen said that the foundation would continue supporting Dak Lak’s elephant conservation efforts. He hoped local authorities would take more drastic measures to protect elephants.
Elephants are used in tourism services in Dak Lak
Dak Lak is currently home to around 140 elephants, consisting of 100 wild and 40 domesticated specimens, down 90% from 1980. Most of the elephants are aged, leading to fertility and population growth problems.
Animal Asia previously provided USD110,000 for Dak Lak elephant conservation between 2016 and 2021.