Since 2018, an elephant-friendly tourism model has been implemented in Yok Don National Park with the aim of ending the elephant-riding activity and improving the welfare for this iconic animal of the highlands.
After more than seven years of implementation, supported financially as well as technically by the Asian Animal Organization, 19 out of 33 domesticated elephants in Dak Lak province have participated in this model. Elephants, which used to be forced to work constantly, are now free to forage for food, bathe in mud, rest, and live closer to their natural instincts.
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Under the elephant-friendly tourism model, numerous elephants returning to the forest, living closer to their natural environment together with their inherent wild instincts.
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Freed from carrying tourists, the elephants enjoying life under the old-growth forest canopy.
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| Accompanying the elephants through the forests being mahouts – caretakers spending their days following the elephants to care for, protect, and help them adapt to life in the natural forest. |
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| Elephants being free to forage for and eat their favorite foods in nature. |
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| According to elephant-conserving experts, returning elephants to their natural forest environment also creating conditions for male alongside female elephants to mate naturally, opening up hope for the domesticated elephant population recovery in Dak Lak province. |
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| Living in natural environment, the elephants gradually rediscovering their herd instincts, finding companionship, and becoming more comfortable. |
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Translated by TRINH THUY
