Elephant Conservation Week 2025 to take place in Dong Nai

From September 17 to 21, in Dong Nai, the Department of Forestry and Forest Protection (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment) will coordinate with the Provincial People's Committee to organize the Elephant Conservation Week 2025 with the theme "Living in harmony. Safety for elephants - Safety for people".

Wild elephants at Dong Nai Biosphere Reserve. Photo: Courtesy of Dong Nai Provincial Forest Protection Department

Within the framework of the event, there will be many activities such as: Running for Dong Nai elephants; photo exhibition of 27 individual elephants of the province, documentary film about the natural life of elephants, display of biodiversity images in special-use forests; dancing program for kindness to elephants and wild animals...

Dong Nai is currently home to the second-largest wild elephant population in the country, with 27 individuals. Since the 1990s, with the support of non-governmental organizations and domestic and foreign research institutes, many surveys and conservation solutions have been implemented, such as: Investigation, assessment of elephant quantity and distribution; identification of habitat areas, food sources; construction of about 72km of electric fence, monitoring huts, and 6 water pans for elephants.

In the 2020-2023 period, with the support of the Department of Forestry and Forest Protection and the global non-profit organization of Humane World for Animals, the province has established identification cards and basically determined the exact number of existing wild elephants.

Elephant photo exhibition within the framework of Elephant Conservation Week in Dong Nai in 2023. Photo: Hoang Loc

Elephant Conservation Week 2025 aims to change the awareness, attitudes and behaviors of the community towards elephants, especially people living near elephant habitats, pupils and students - those who may be directly affected or will become the future stewards of conservation. At the same time, the week is also an opportunity to introduce biodiversity and affirm Dong Nai's efforts in elephant conservation.  Previously, Dong Nai was also chosen as the host for Elephant Conservation Week in 2023.

By: Hoang Loc

Translated by: Quoc Dung - Thu Ha