Once called the Land of a Million Elephants, Laos is now facing a far more fragile reality.
The Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), an emblematic species of the region, is rapidly declining. Confronted with deforestation, mass tourism, and the precarious conditions of mahouts, the country is striving to build a renewed relationship with the living world. Tradition, science, and grassroots action now converge in a shared effort toward sustainable reconciliation.
Article by Damien Lafon and Photographs by Laos Autrement
A declining species, a symbol at risk
The elephant holds a central place in Laotian culture. It symbolizes prosperity, strength, and wisdom. Present in myths, ancient tales, and religious rituals, it is woven into the country’s identity. Yet today, the numbers are worrying: around 400 domesticated elephants and 500 wild ones remain, mostly in the southern forests.
The region of Champassak, once populated by elephants, now has very few. As Sandrine Blondeau, destination expert at Laos Autrement, explains:
“Since the pandemic, many elephants have been sold to private owners. In some areas, they’ve almost completely disappeared.”
The main threats remain habitat loss, logging, human-wildlife conflict, and poaching. Forest fragmentation limits movement, increases stress, and lowers birth rates.
From labor to tourism: elephants in transition
Until the 1990s, elephants were used for timber hauling. When logging declined, mahouts had to seek alternative incomes. Tourism quickly became a major opportunity though not without harm.
The use of howdahs (elephant seats), long walks under the sun, and training with chains have all drawn criticism. Some facilities prioritize profit over animal welfare. These conditions also shorten the lifespan of elephants in captivity.
Fortunately, awareness is growing. More travelers now seek ethical encounters. Mahouts, at the heart of this shift, can become ambassadors for more responsible tourism.
Mahouts and elephants: a bond to protect
Mahouts known as cornacs in Laos spend their entire lives alongside a single elephant. Their bond is based on daily interaction, mutual observation, and deep-rooted trust rituals.
Yet their social and economic status remains fragile. Many are underpaid, sometimes socially marginalized, and lack access to alternative practices. Local associations now help them retrain for new roles.
Training mahouts in ecotourism or cultural mediation helps sustain both their livelihoods and their endangered knowledge.
Did you know?
Male Asian elephants go through a period called musth, marked by a rise in hormones and increased aggression essential for reproduction.
Sanctuaries and ecotourism: a new approach
New models are emerging on the ground. In Sayaboury, the Elephant Conservation Center (ECC), founded in 2011, takes in elephants from tourism or logging backgrounds. Its threefold mission: rehabilitation, veterinary care, and semi-wild reintroduction.
Visitors can observe elephants from a distance no contact, no rides. This experience, based on patience and observation, offers a more authentic perspective and highlights real conservation work.
In Pakbeng and Luang Prabang, other initiatives combine ecotourism, reforestation, and visitor education. These projects enhance the value of forests while ensuring long-term income for local communities.
Spirituality, science, and knowledge transmission
In Laotian tradition, the Baci ceremony holds a central place. According to belief, each person has 32 souls (khouan). The elephant is the only animal granted this status and may receive a Baci for birth, treatment, or relocation.
This ceremony reflects the deep bond between humans and elephants, emphasizing that their role extends beyond economics into the spiritual realm.
Meanwhile, science has confirmed their exceptional cognitive abilities. Elephants have powerful memories, use tools, and show empathy. By combining traditional and scientific knowledge, conservation can become more holistic.
Toward sustainable coexistence
Protecting Asian elephants also means preserving tropical rainforests vital to climate regulation and biodiversity. Laos has the potential to become a model, if the right measures are strengthened:
- Creating ecological corridors between protected areas
- Strict regulation of wildlife tourism
- Supporting local communities, especially young mahouts
- Promoting environmental education from an early age
Did you know?
Unlike their African cousins, Asian elephants have only one “finger” at the tip of their trunk, making them better adapted to dense forests.
Rethinking our relationship with elephants means recognizing them not as a resource, but as a co-evolution partner. In an era of climate and social challenges, this kind of alliance has become essential.
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