Dak Lak’s elephant conservation needs further promotion

Dak Lak Province in the Central Highlands is home to a large number of wild and home-raised elephants. Unfortunately, though millions of VND have been invested toward elephant conservation efforts, the province has witnessed many elephants being killed. The recent hunting and deaths of wild and home-raised elephants has called attention to the importance of elephant conservation.

The elephant recently killed was named Y Lum. He was raised in Ami U’s family in Tul A Village, Ea Wer Commune of Buon Đon District. Y Lum is the last home-raised elephant in the village.

According to data, there are only 50 home-raised elephants left in Dak Lak Province. Throughout their lives, many of these elephants have provided rides for tourists visiting the province. In the last 30 years, most of these elephants have not reproduced, and many have died due to old age or illegal hunting. In just the last couple of months, four home-raised elephants and one wild elephant have died. Recently, the Dak Lak Elephant Conservation Center rescued an injured elephant.

Facing the extinction risk of elephants, Dak Lak province has approved an emergency conservation plan between now and 2020 with a total investment of 4 million USD. However, even that number is not enough, as implementation of the plan falls short. Furthermore, the emergency conservation plan does not do enough to promote the importance of conservation efforts.

Elephant conservation and preservation is important for the lives of these animals and to sustain the unique symbol of the Central Highlands. Efficient implementation of conservation policies is needed to protect the elephants.