Protecting Elephants and Tigers in Laos
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by
scott
At the Department of Forestry, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (Lao PDR) in Vientiane, Save Elephant Foundation (SEF), Thailand—represented by founder Saengduean “Lek” Chailert—met with the Department of Forestry of the Lao PDR on March 12, 2026. We were warmly welcomed by Associate Professor Dr. Somwang Pimmavong, Director-General of the Department of Forestry, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.
On this occasion, a signing ceremony was held for a Letter of Agreement (LoA) on cooperation and technical assistance regarding the management of wild and domesticated elephants and tigers in Laos under the Action Plan for Compliance (CAP).
Witnesses to the ceremony included Ms. Suchanya Saengsawang, Foundation Committee Member; Dr. Adul Saengthong, Chief Veterinarian of Save Elephant Foundation; Ms. Thipsuda Masit, Foundation staff member; Mr. Khamphon Bounthavy, Head of the Wildlife Management and CITES Division, Department of Forestry; Mr. Bounthavy Manivong, Deputy Head of the Wildlife Management and CITES Division; along with other officials from the Department of Forestry.
Save Elephant Foundation will support the Department of Forestry in managing and compiling data on tiger populations, as well as conducting sterilization and DNA sample collection. These measures aim to control illegal tiger breeding in Laos and establish a system that enables the government to effectively manage the tiger population at an appropriate level.
For elephants, Save Elephant Foundation will continue supporting conservation projects for domesticated elephants in Laos, with a focus on improving welfare through close collaboration with the Lao government.
Laos, once known as the “Land of a Million Elephants,” now has only a few hundred elephants remaining. A key challenge in protecting them has been the lack of accurate and comprehensive data on the domesticated population.
To address this, Save Elephant Foundation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Laos, is developing a national elephant database—now over 70% complete. Each elephant is being registered using microchip identification and barcode tracking systems, enabling quick and reliable access to individual records.
Once completed, Laos will become the first country in Asia to introduce an official “Elephant ID Card”—a modern, verifiable system designed to prevent illegal trade, monitor movement across regions, support conservation efforts, and improve welfare to international standards.
This initiative forms a critical foundation for the long-term protection of elephants in Laos, ensuring they are not only remembered as part of the country’s history, but safeguarded as part of its future. The collaboration may also extend to the protection of other wildlife, as requested by the Lao government.
“Our work with animals knows no borders. Wherever animals are in need of help, we are committed to contributing and doing our best to protect and care for all life.” — Saengduen Chailert