Dong Nai hosts Elephant Conservation Week 2025

The event saw the participation of Dong Nai provincial leaders, representatives from the Department of Agriculture and Environment, the Forest Department, the Forest Protection Department, international experts on Asian elephants, and representatives from 13 countries where elephant populations are distributed.

In her opening speech, Nguyen Thi Hoang, a provincial Party Committee member and Vice Chairwoman of the Dong Nai Provincial People's Committee, emphasized that elephants are not only a rare wild animal but also an indispensable part of the forest ecosystem. She stated that Dong Nai has the second-largest wild elephant population in the country, a natural heritage that must be strictly protected.

"Elephant conservation is not just the responsibility of one locality but a shared obligation of the entire society", Hoang stressed. "Let's turn these messages into concrete actions, so that Dong Nai forever remains a safe home for elephants and a symbol of sustainable development”.

For many years, the province has pioneered numerous effective conservation solutions, such as building an over 70 km-long electric fence system to mitigate human-elephant conflicts, installing camera traps to monitor and study elephant herd behavior, and intensifying community communication and education on coexisting harmoniously with wildlife. These efforts have initially helped the elephant population in Dong Nai stabilize and show signs of growth.

Despite these positive results, human-elephant conflict remains a major challenge. According to a Dong Nai provincial leader, this requires more synchronous and decisive involvement from all sides.

As part of Elephant Conservation Week, various activities are scheduled, including: Run for Elephants, Dance for Elephant’s Kindness, and a photo and painting exhibition. The highlight of the week will be the 12th meeting of the Asian Elephant Specialist Group. These programs are expected to raise social awareness and strengthen international commitments to wild elephant conservation.

The Vice Chairwoman of the Dong Nai Provincial People's Committee also called on residents within the province and across the country from management agencies and businesses to individuals to join hands in elephant conservation. She stated that every action, no matter how small, such as not hunting or trading wild animals or spreading positive messages, is meaningful in building a sustainable future for elephants, other wildlife species, and for future generations.