On September 19, the People’s Committee of Dong Nai Province, in collaboration with the Forestry and Forest Protection Department (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment), the Humane Society International (HSI), and the Asian Elephant Specialist Group, held the opening ceremony of Elephant Conservation Week 2025 under the theme “Living in harmony – Safety for people, Safety for elephants.”
Within the framework of Elephant Conservation Week 2025, taking place in Dong Nai from September 17 to 21, a wide range of activities were organized to spread the message, including a photo exhibition featuring 27 elephants, documentary screenings, the programs “Run for Dong Nai’s elephants” and “Dance for kindness toward elephants,” as well as flashmobs and folk dances engaging students and young people. These activities not only nurtured love for nature but also highlighted the commitment to protecting natural habitats.
According to the Organizing Committee, the most important goal is to raise community awareness, particularly among residents living near elephant habitats and the younger generation. The event also provides an opportunity for Dong Nai to showcase its conservation achievements, affirm its role in elephant protection, and contribute to enhancing Vietnam’s image to international friends.
Delegates cut the ribbon to open the exhibition “Vietnam’s elephants: recognize, love, and live in harmony.” Photo: Dong Nai Newspaper.Following the opening ceremony of the Week, nearly 500 volunteers took part in a mass performance of “Dance for kindness toward elephants and wildlife” in Dong Nai.
From September 17–21, Dong Nai also hosted the 12th Meeting of the Asian Elephant Specialist Group. This event not only marked a step forward in international cooperation but also served as an opportunity for the province to promote its image as an environmentally friendly industrial locality closely tied to the mission of elephant conservation.
Mr. Doan Hoai Nam, Deputy Director of the Department of Forestry and Forest Protection (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment), stated that the Asian elephant is both a symbol of nature’s grandeur and an indicator species for biodiversity.
However, in reality, elephant populations are declining at an alarming rate. Vietnam currently has fewer than 200 individuals, scattered across several provinces, with Dong Nai playing a particularly critical role. This is a stark warning that calls for stronger action.
At present, Vietnam’s nearly 200 wild elephants, an endangered and rare species, are living in fragmented forest habitats and face the risk of losing their wild populations altogether.
Nguyen Thuy