Closing of Elephant Conservation Week 2025 in Dong Nai

(DN) - On September 21, at Dong Nai Nature and Culture Reserve, Tri An commune, Elephant Conservation Week 2025 officially closed. This is an event associated with the 12th meeting of the Asian Elephant Specialist Group (AsESG) of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), taking place in Vietnam.

The Asian Elephant Experts Group takes a photo after a meeting on September 20, in Ta Lai commune, Dong Nai province. Photo: Hoang Loc

The week took place from September 17 with many activities such as: meetings to share experiences, discuss solutions to preserve wild elephants; exhibition of pictures and documentaries about elephant life; Run for Dong Nai elephants, Jump for kindness to elephants and wild animals; field trips to wild elephant areas that regularly appear in Cat Tien National Park, Dong Nai Nature and Culture Reserve; learning about the cultural life and history of people living along the forest... The main message of the event is: Living in harmony. Safety for elephants - safety for people.

A team of Asian Elephant Experts visited an area with an electric fence that prevents elephants from entering farmers' production areas. Photo: Hoang Loc

According to Provincial Party Committee member and Vice Chairwoman of Dong Nai Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Thi Hoang, Dong Nai is currently home to the second largest wild elephant population in the country with about 25-27 individuals, in reality the number may be 1-2 more individuals due to reproduction. Over the years, the province has coordinated with international organizations and research institutes to implement many solutions to preserve this endangered species and reduce human-elephant conflicts.

The event attracted 130 experts from 13 countries with Asian elephant populations. Through many meetings, delegates agreed on the need to strengthen international cooperation, promote research, replicate conservation initiatives, and spread the message of nature protection and sustainable development.

Elephant Conservation Week 2025 has contributed to raising public awareness, affirming Vietnam's determination to preserve a "safe home" for wild elephants, aiming for the goal of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.

A group of Dance for Kindness to Elephants and Wildlife takes a photo with a Dong Nai elephant model. Photo: Hoang Loc

For Dong Nai province, being chosen as the venue for the 12th meeting of the Asian Elephant Experts Group partly affirms Dong Nai's position in elephant conservation, while also creating an opportunity for the province to receive international experience and spread the message of "harmonious coexistence".

Hoang Loc

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/kinh-te/202509/be-mac-tuan-le-bao-ton-voi-nam-2025-tai-dong-nai-8f90d4f/