At the turn of last century thousands of elephants roamed Laos, thriving in the heat of this insanely beautiful country. In fact, Laos used to be known as The Land of a Million Elephants. However, humanity hasn't been kind to these gentle giants. Deforestation has stripped away their natural habitats and they've been put to work, living bulldozers heaving the very logs they once fed from and sheltered under, straining instead to meet the needs of man. A demi-god to many,a revered animal in Laos, it's hard to correlate the logging elephant with the veneration in which they're held.
Photo by Zafer Kizilkaya
Tragically, there are about 800 elephants left in Laos, half of them living in captivity. Until 2018, most of these elephants were employed in the logging industry. However, when the Laos government banned illegal logging activity, the elephants became a burden on their owners. They were sold into tourism across Laos and abroad, destined for a life on concrete pads, shuffling and swaying in wait as tourists queue for a ride. On the surface, it might appear to be an ok life. Surely a little flea of a tourist atop a powerful elephant is better than hauling a log in dangerous conditions. But the tourist is the least of the problems the elephant is shouldering.
Right now, the elephant death rate is far exceeding the birth rate in Laos and (ironically given we're the ones who screwed things up in the first place), unless humans intervene and actively promote elephant conservation, the elephant population will fall to even scarier numbers. You see, a young elephant costs around US$100,000. That's a lot of tourist rides before the elephant breaks even or makes a profit. Given an elephant pregnancy lasts between 18-22 months and then the calf is entirely dependent on it's mother for at least 2-3 years, a mama elephant is out of action for around five years. Elephant breeding equates to no profit.
Furthermore, part of the elephant tourism gig means feeding 'treats' to the elephants. Yes, of course they love their sugar cane snacks - but therein lies the problem. Sugar. Lots of it. Just like humans, too much sugar is a problem for elephants, impacting negatively on their weight and even their fertility.
Elephant Conservation Centre
It may well be heaven on earth - the Elephant Conservation Centre (ECC) in Sayaboury, Laos. Set on the edge of the idyllic Nam Tien Lake with access to 6000 hectares of jungle, the beauty of this place is matched only by the intent and the work of the centre, although both are surpassed by the majesty of the 34 elephants who call this place home, the largest herd of elephants under human care in Laos.
Merging traditional knowledge and modern science, ECC is a French-Laos project dedicated to protecting the elephants of Laos. While some of the residents, such as a 60-year old former logging girl, will see out their lives on the reserve, others will eventually be returned to the wild. One elephant earmarked for re-wilding is Mae Boua Ngeun.
Mae Boua Ngeun is a gorgeous eight-year old who has spent her entire life at the Centre, a gallumphing, gambolling teenager with a trilling trumpet and a zest for life. She epitomises hope for the future of Laos' elephant population - in excellent health with a very real prospect for breeding and a return to the wild in sight.
The Problem
ECC don't own Mae Boua Ngeun and she's for sale. The Centre have been offered Mae Boua Ngeun at the discounted rate of US$82,000 but, right now, they simply don't have that sort of money. Covid has been tough and the number of paying guests is significantly down. Not only are the elephants at risk, but so too are the jobs and livelihoods of the fifty five staff who work there. As founder, Sebastian Duffillot, says, 'The Covid-19 pandemic hit us hard. Despite Laos reopening to international tourists, the recovery remains slow and keeping the ECC alive is a permanent challenge.'
Mae Boua Ngeun's current owner hopes she can remain at ECC. However, he's a local mahout and his family needs the money. If ECC can't raise it, there's a risk she'll be sold off to a tourism venture. Her life roaming the jungles, swimming in the lake, having baby elephants and eventually living in the wild simply won't happen.
Save Mae Boua Ngeun
Every little bit helps. Maybe you can donate to ECC. Maybe you can share Mae Boua Ngeun's story. Maybe you can book into ECC - stay in paradise and do good at the same time! Here's the link. Let's help save Mae Boua Ngeun.
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