Promoting ethical elephant care and creating jobs in communities in Laos.
LAOS
This donation is tax-deductible in Australia
In Laos, once known as the Land of a Million Elephants, tourists gather at elephant camps to see these gentle giants up close. Some offer rides – a practice Intrepid Travel stopped in 2014 – or keep them restrained by chains and in overcrowded conditions. But MandaLao Elephant Conservation, the first non-riding elephant sanctuary in Luang Prabang, is a welcome alternative for travellers who want to experience elephants roaming and swimming in their natural habitat.
The venue opened in 2016, and works closely with World Animal Protection to not only promote ethical elephant care and educate tourists, but also to provide jobs and training in the local community. One of the sanctuary’s unique features is a spacious night enclosure, which includes housing for mahouts (elephant handlers) with an elephant food storehouse to ensure supplies are close by. As MandaLao’s herd grows, a second night closure is needed to ensure they have ample space to thrive.
As elephant ‘attractions’ became a popular tourist activity across Southeast Asia in recent decades, the traditional – and highly specialised – practice of mahouts was taken up by labourers to meet demand. Mahouts are typically assigned an elephant from childhood, and the two develop a deep bond as they grow up together. By providing safe, comfortable accommodation for mahouts in the night enclosure, MandaLao preserves the culturally rich tradition of mahouts and their livelihood.
Employment opportunities in rural Laos are sparse, with around 80% of people working in subsistence farming or unskilled labour. The creation of a natural sanctuary offers diverse job opportunities for local residents, including mahouts, tour guides, salespeople, office staff, organic gardeners and servers for the MandaLao restaurant. As tourism in Laos continues to grow, the size of the sanctuary – and its staff – will grow too. The sanctuary is committed to increasing job opportunities for women and youth, who are underrepresented in the formal economy.
All through 2020 Mandalao was able to support all their elephants and mahouts. But the continuing impacts of COVID including the drying up of tourism has left Mandalao struggling to find the money to provide the food to the elephants. It costs $500 a month to feed an elephant. In January 2021 Mandalao had to make the heartbreaking decision to return some of the elephants to their previous owners. It is agreed they will return when funds improve.
Costs include feed, mahout’s salaries, veterinary care and rental contracts for the feeding grounds that allow the elephants to forage. Every dollar will help keep these animals safe.
By supporting MandaLao Elephant Conservation, you are helping to support the use of local, sustainable resources and labour in building a second 'chain free' night enclosure for existing and newly arrived elephants
Sally donated to MandaLao Elephant Conservation
Bec donated to MandaLao Elephant Conservation
Bradley donated to MandaLao Elephant Conservation
Barbara donated to MandaLao Elephant Conservation
Tien donated to MandaLao Elephant Conservation
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