Camera traps used to define elephant population in Dong Nai

Cameral traps have helped to define the number of elephants in the southern province of Dong Nai.

The elephants recorded through camera traps in a forest in Dong Nai

Since June 2022, camera traps have been deployed in three forests at Dong Nai Culture and Nature Reserve, Cat Tien National Park, and La Nga Forestry Company Ltd., to assess the elephant population.

Through hundreds of thousands of camera trap images, experts have identified some 25-27 elephants in the three forests, exceeding the projected number of only 14, making it the second-largest population in the country.

Among them, there are eight adult male elephants and three adult female elephants, all in good physical condition. This shows that that the habitat, food, and water conditions in Dong Nai forests are highly favourable for the elephants

According to the Dong Nai Forest Protection Department, the agency has actively implemented elephant conservation projects, contributing significantly to the successful preservation of these animals.

The province has implemented measures to promote harmonious coexistence with wild elephants, including the construction of 75 kilometres of electric fences to prevent elephants from leaving the forests. Additionally, water basins for the elephants to bathe, observation towers, and patrol teams have been established, all of which have helped reduce conflicts between humans and elephants.

In the future, the department will continue monitoring elephant herds to ensure a steady supply of food and water. It will also organize activities to raise public awareness about living harmoniously with nature.

(Source:Dtinews)