Prime Minister approves elephant conservation project

The Prime Minister has just approved the Project "Overall conservation of Vietnamese elephants for the period 2013 - 2020" with the goal of preserving and sustainably developing the existing wild and domesticated elephant populations in Vietnam.

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Conserving wild elephant populations in three provinces

According to the Project, to preserve wild elephants in the wild, it is necessary to develop and implement projects to preserve wild elephant populations in three provinces: Nghe An, Dak Lak and Dong Nai.

In addition, strengthen law enforcement capacity, protect forests, protect wildlife, prevent hunting and killing of elephants and other endangered and rare animals according to current regulations.

At the same time, organize prevention and control of elephant encroachment; improve skills in preventing and combating elephant/human conflicts; and prevent encroachment and encroachment in areas planned for elephant conservation.

Along with that, it is necessary to carry out projects to investigate, survey and evaluate the current status of elephant conservation and the distribution areas of elephant populations with small numbers of individuals, small and scattered herd structures that are isolated and at risk of being threatened in the wild; and organize on-site conservation measures for sustainable development.

For domesticated elephants, research on the reproductive capacity of domesticated elephants to preserve and develop the current domesticated elephant population nationwide; develop the Dak Lak Provincial Elephant Center to provide advice on health care, reproduction and treatment for elephants; research and propose measures to domesticate some individual elephants in the re-herd relocation project, to promote reproduction for the stable development of the domesticated elephant herd.

Strengthening control of ivory trade

Also to preserve Vietnamese elephants, the Project will strengthen control of domestic trade in ivory and elephant products; import, export and transit of ivory specimens, focusing on seaports, airports and some important international border gates.

Along with that is strengthening inter-sectoral coordination and information sharing among law enforcement agencies in combating and handling acts of killing elephants, illegal trafficking of ivory and elephant parts and derivatives.

Develop and implement plans to demarcate elephant protection zones, prevent elephant/human conflicts, protect elephant habitats and movement corridors in the wild, and link elephant conservation work with the tasks of the Management Boards of Special-use Forests where elephants live.

Training and education to raise awareness and understanding of forest protection, elephant protection and biological conservation, improve skills in preventing elephant/human conflicts, and protect local people's property and crops.

According to the General Department of Forestry, the results of a number of investigations, surveys and reports from localities from 1995 to present show that nationwide there are only 15 areas identified as having elephants living with an estimated number of about 75 - 130, distributed mainly along the Vietnam - Laos and Cambodia borders, including the provinces of Son La, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Nam, the Central Highlands provinces and Dong Nai province.

Elephant herds are very scattered and divided into many small groups; the largest herd does not exceed 10 - 20 individuals. This can easily lead to the risk of extinction if there are no active management measures for elephants in Vietnam.

According to (Chinhphu.vn) - LT