Public awareness

READ BEFORE YOU RIDE

Laos is a nation steeped with rich cultural heritage closely linked with Asian elephants. However elephant ownership is rarer now that elephant populations are endangered. We believe that responsible elephant tourism can be the saving grace of elephants in Laos, but only if camps maintain the highest level of elephant care, food requirements, hygiene and environmental enrichment.

On a daily basis, staff at ElefantAsia are asked the following questions:
 “Can you tell me the name of a good elephant camp in Laos?”
 “How can I choose a good elephant camp? What should I look for?”
 “Isn’t elephant trekking cruel and unnatural for elephants?”

ElefantAsia believes in giving practical and impartial advice to visitors wishing to ride an elephant during their stay in Laos. For this reason we have printed & published “Read Before You Ride!” This brochure is a great guide to answering frequently asked questions about elephant trekking, as well as giving practical advice about what an elephant camp should & shouldn’t do.

A must for anyone intending on riding an elephant in any country, download read Before You Ride here before you go on your elephant adventure. And remember, if you don’t like the conditions of the camp – vote with your visit and tell other traveller’s your concerns!

OUR ELEFANTASTIC CAMPAIGN

If people are not aware then positive change simply can’t occur. Simplistic but true. At ElefantAsia we have gone to jumbo lengths to raise awareness of the plight of the endangered Asian elephant in Laos. With children the future leaders of Laos, many of our programs have been directed towards educating kids on the need to conserve & protect their national emblem from extinction.

Our children’s activities include the free distribution of elephant books and posters to Lao communities living close to and even cohabiting protected reserves with wild or domesticated elephants. To date we have published 4,000 books for local school children and 3,000 elephant posters, explaining elephant biology, environmental needs and their cultural significance.

You can download these educational posters by clicking on the PDF links at the bottom of the page.

OTHER CAMPAIGNS

Over the years ElefantAsia has included urban and remote communities, government authorities and decision makers in our campaigns. Well-known throughout Laos, here are just a few more examples of our public awareness programs:

 ElefantAsia’s documentary “Caravan Xang: the long walk of the elephants” was translated into Lao and broadcasted numerous times on the national TV channel LNTV1. You can buy this extremely interesting and beautifully designed dvd or book from our Elefantshop.

 Each year in February, ElefantAsia co-organises the Elephant Festival in the Sayaboury province of Laos. You’re not living unless you party with the pachyderms!

 Our collaboration with Big Brother Mouse combines elephants and books for exciting adventures in this beautiful country.

 Regular meetings with the Lao Journalist Association to publish elephant-related news articles. You can see some of these in our Press Review gallery.