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

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.

As one of the founding members of MandaLao his dedication and passion helped shape our organization into what it is today. While he is no longer directly affiliated he stills plays a valuable role as an advisor and dear friend.

Few people have as deep an affinity for elephants as Prasop Tipprasert. After working with them for over three decades – as co-founder and director of the Thai Elephant Conservation Center and extensive work with the National Park Service – his knowledge of both captive and wild elephants is profound. A pioneer and originator of Positive Reinforcement Training, Prasop has joined us at MandaLao to continue to refine this training and share his understanding of the human and elephant connection with others. Along with training our elephants, mahouts and guides he focuses on interacting with guests. It is as much a treat to hear him tell stories from decades past as it is to gain rare insight into elephants’ emotions and behaviors.

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