Asian elephant specialist group conducts meeting in Dong Nai

On September 17, the 12th Meeting of the Asian Elephant Specialist Group (AsESG, under the International Union for Conservation of Nature - IUCN) opened in Dong Nai. The event is part of the 2025 Elephant Conservation Week.

The event was attended by Provincial Party Committee member, Vice Chairwoman of Dong Nai Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Thi Hoang; Deputy Director of the Department of Forestry and Forest Protection, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment Doan Hoai Nam and Tham Thi Hong Phuong, Country Director of Humane Society International, along with nearly 130 experts from 13 countries with Asian elephant populations.

Representatives of the Asian elephant specialist group and leaders of the Dong Nai Provincial People's Committee at the 12th meeting hosted by Vietnam. Photo: Hoang Loc

Provincial Party Committee member, Vice Chairwoman of Dong Nai Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Thi Hoang speaks at the meeting. Photo: Hoang Loc

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Director of the Department of Forestry and Forest Protection, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment Doan Hoai Nam said that organizing the meeting in Dong Nai, one of the localities with a large and rare wild elephant population, holds special significance. This is an opportunity to review achievements, share experiences, discuss challenges, and propose cooperation directions in the context of declining biodiversity, climate change, and increasingly limited conservation resources.

According to Doan Hoai Nam, Asian elephants not only represent a rich biodiversity but are also closely associated with the culture and beliefs of many countries. However, the elephant population is seriously declining. Vietnam currently has fewer than 200 wild elephants, scattered in some provinces, of which Dong Nai is a key area. Vietnam is implementing the National Action Plan for Elephant Conservation in Vietnam until 2035, with a vision to 2050, to protect this endangered species and promote harmonious coexistence between elephants and humans.

Delegates receive books on wild elephants. Photo: Hoang Loc

Nam emphasized that despite many measures implemented, such as reducing human-elephant conflict and supporting community livelihoods, conservation efforts still face difficulties due to shrinking forest areas and limited resources. In this context, international cooperation and the companionship of the Asian Elephant Specialist Group are extremely important. Vietnam is committed to continuing to coordinate closely with the Asian Elephant Specialist Group, international organizations, and countries in the region to conserve elephants.

Provincial Party Committee member, Vice Chairwoman of Dong Nai Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Thi Hoang presents paintings of Dong Nai elephants to the Asian Elephant Specialist Group. Photo: Hoang Loc

Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Thi Hoang said that since 1997, Dong Nai has been a pioneer in "closing" natural forests to form a large conservation area and was recognized by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve. This is also home to many rare wild animals, including elephants.

Dong Nai is currently considered the "home" of the second largest wild elephant population in the country. For many years, the province has coordinated with non-governmental organizations and research institutes to implement many solutions such as: investigating and monitoring populations; building electric fences, observation towers, water pans... In 2019, the province identified the number of wild elephants remaining at about 25-27 individuals.

Provincial Party Committee member, Vice Chairwoman of Dong Nai Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Thi Hoang discusses with an expert from the Asian Elephant Specialist Group. Photo: Hoang Loc

The leader of the Provincial People's Committee emphasized: The meeting of the Asian Elephant Specialist Group and Elephant Conservation Week 2025 in Dong Nai serve as an important opportunity for the province to receive many scientific opinions, thereby implementing more effective solutions in elephant conservation.

The Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial People's Committee also called on people not to hunt or trade wild animals, and to spread the message of nature conservation, building Dong Nai into a safe home for the elephant herd and a symbol of sustainable development.

Leaders of the Department of Forestry and Forest Protection, Humane Society International, and the Asian Elephant Specialist Group pose for a commemorative photo. Photo: Hoang Loc

At the event, international experts shared research results, solutions for elephant conservation and development, and experiences in reducing human-elephant conflicts. Representatives from the Department of Forestry and Forest Protection also reported on wild elephant conservation efforts in Vietnam.

By Hoang Loc-Translated by Mai Nga, Thu Ha