Since early human settlement, wild elephants have been an integral part of Việt Nam’s identity. The cultural icon has inspired poetry, music and art.
Gentle giant: A 4-years-old baby elephant named Jun, trapped by locals and was wounded at his trunk and nails. He is permanently unable to rehab with his herds and is now protected and nursed by Đắk Lắk Elephant Conservation Centre. — Photo Courtesy of Kayleigh Ghiot from WWF Việt Nam
The Central Highlands hosts 70 per cent of Việt Nam’s wild elephant population. The protection of wild elephants in this location is critical to the survival of the species.
Illegal poaching and trapping are not the only threats to the survival of wild elephants. Human-elephant conflict frequently takes a serious toll. Between 2009 and 2016, Đắk Lắk province’s wild elephant herd dropped 25 per cent with a loss of 23 individuals. Tragically, 75 per cent of these were babies under one year old.
In Việt Nam, the most substantial herd of wild elephants exist in Central Highlands’s Yok Don National Park. Unfortunately, the population is less than 70 survivors.
Although ivory trade is banned in Việt Nam, the country remains a top market for ivory products, used locally for decorative and medicinal purposes.
Việt Nam outlawed the ivory trade in 1992, but shops near the Old Quarters zone still sell ivory products, and weak law enforcement has allowed its illegal trade to perdure.
A survey last year found more than 16,000 ivory products available in Hà Nội, according to The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
In Việt Nam, urgent actions to protect wild elephants will be jointly taken by WWF Vietnam and Yok Don National Park, and effective cross-border co-operation between the park and Cambodia in wild elephant conservation will be implemented by 2020.
Walking pain: A wound at nail caused by trapping has made it difficult for Jun to move. — Photo Courtesy of Kayleigh Ghiot from WWF Việt Nam
Contraband: Ornamental necklace products made from ivory sold at a Hà Nội Old Quarter shop. — Photo Courtesy of Alegria Olmedo from WWF Việt Nam
Born from violence: Ornamental bracelets and decorative products made from ivory sold at a Hà Nội Old Quarter shop. — Photo Courtesy of Alegria Olmedo from WWF Việt Nam
Majestic beast: Wild elephant at Yok Don National Park. — Photo Courtesy of Phạm Đức Huy