ABOUT
Deeply rooted in the foundations of Buddhism and local folklore, elephants have attained an almost mythical status across much of their ancestral lands. Laos became known as the “Land of One Million Elephants” or “Lan Xang” from fabled accounts of a procession of them crossing the Mekong River not far from Luang Prabang. By all accounts humans and elephants have worked side-by-side in the region for nearly 2000 years.
Ranging from 4 to over 60 years of age, MandaLao’s elephants have spent the majority of their lives working together in logging camps and low welfare tourist attractions. With new regulations limiting logging operations across Laos, and concern over elephant welfare, we have been able to bring these amazing creatures home to where we offer them a dignified and comfortable life in harmony with nature.
THE TEAM
Michael Vogler
FOUNDER
With a background in wildlife and environmental conservation work around the globe, Laos drew Michael in from the first time he visited. He sees MandaLao as part of long-term strategy to create and promote new community-based conservation projects.
Tim Bouts
Chief Executive Officer
With a special passion for elephants, Tim brings a background in zoological management, and veterinary medicine of large animals. Along with wildlife conservation and research, he has a love for family, horses, and rugby.
Khamkhoun Boline
Conservation Project Manager
Mr. Khamkhoun is one of the premier elephant conservation specialists in Lao PDR. He has written several foundational reports that have provided essential information and data about wild elephants in Laos, coordinated and wrote the current Lao PDR National Elephant Conservation Action Plan, worked for many years previously with WWF-Laos, and is currently working to mitigate human elephant conflict in Northern Laos
Robin Perez
Chief Operations Officer
A committed advocate for animal welfare, Robin is deeply passionate about wildlife conservation, and fostering a connection between people and nature.
Natrada Apple Thummasook
Chief FinaNcial Officer
With a head built for numbers, Apple is the superstar behind the scenes. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her seven fluffy dogs.
Phitsamai Kilivong
Property Manager
Managing our forest contracts, ensuring collaboration with our local community, and overseeing our amazing property staff, Mai keeps all things organized smoothly.
THE ELEPHANTS
RAISING THE BAR IN ELEPHANT WELFARE
All of our rescued elephants went through what is known as the “breaking process” as babies, only then to be exploited for logging or entertainment purposes, often under stress and abuse. Some recover, while others do not. However all bear the scars, whether physical or emotional. Currently at MandaLao we provide a home for 12 rescued elephants, setting an example by offering ethical and educational tours. Unfortunately, due to age, illness, mental health, etc., most of our resident elephants will never be fit for reintroduction back to the wild. That’s why we are glad to give these elephants a second chance at life! Partnering with the local community we are able to rent forest land which allows the elephants access to natural diet and exercise, safe enclosures that do not require the elephants to be on chain but allow for exercise and socialization, access to veterinary care and treatments, and most importantly respect and love.
CONSERVATION
CONSERVING THE WILD ELEPHANTS OF LAOS
Once known as “Lan Xang,” or the “Land of a Million Elephant,” current estimates suggest that fewer than 400 elephants now live in the wild in Laos.
Since 1976, Asian elephants have been listed as “Endangered” under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) and commercial trade of their parts and
products is prohibited through the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). However, this has not stopped the population decline.
Why? Largely because of human encroachment into the land on which elephants could once safely roam, industrialization of protected areas, illegal wildlife trade, and degradation of their habitat.
MandaLao believes that in an ideal world, every elephant that can live in the wild should live wild. It is their birthright and their fundamental nature. Our work on wild elephants, which, over the course of the next few years, will unfold in stages, focuses on:
● Increasing the population of wild elephants living in Nam Pak Protected area and Elephant Conservation Area, La District, Oudomxay Province, Laos PDR.
● Addressing the issue of human-elephant conflict by engaging with villages bordering one or more of Lao’s NBCAs, establishing park patrol teams, and beta testing new methods of mitigating contact between humans and wild elephants.
● Documenting tangible achievements, collecting data and expanding monitoring capacity.
● Working in collaboration with Asian elephant experts, who have had significant success in re-wilding elephants, and
● Highlighting the economic and cultural value of protecting elephants within Lao and the international conservation community in the media.
THE LAST MAHOUT
Exploring the sacred bond between elephant and mahout.
Luang Prabang, Laos | co*******@******ao.net| +856 (0) 30 56 64 014