Solo Travel Diaries, Laos: My Day with Rescued Elephants 🐘

Laos was once known as "The Land of a Million Elephants". Now less than 1,000 remain - with 400 in the wild, the rest in captivity. While I was in Laos I had the incredible opportunity to spend 1.5 days at the Elephant Conservation Center (ECG) in Laos. I wanted to learn more about these majestic beings, but with SEA being unfortunately littered with cruel "sanctuaries", I thoroughly did my research. ECG is a no touch, no riding, no feeding elephant sanctuary. The elephants receive a healthy diet and frequent veterinarian check-ups, with biologists on site to do lab work. As most of these elephants are rescued some had little to no interaction with other elephants - so daily socialization is vital for their growth. Most of these elephants have been rescued from the logging industry - the Lao government banned the use of elephants for logging in 2018, but this left households with expensive elephants to care for. Some would be sold to circuses or moved across borders to be put in zoos. This is where ECG partnered with the Lao government to step in. ECG purchases elephants from those who can no longer afford to care for them thus saving them from a perhaps much crueler fate. Sometimes an elephant can cost anywhere between $80,000-120,00 USD. I booked the 3 day/2 night package for around $300 - a steal in my opinion as this includes transport from Luang Prabang, lodging and meals. I also learned so much! For example did you know that elephants are matriarchal societies with young male elephant being kicked out the herd at 15. Also that elephants can live up to 70 years! The ultimate goal of ECG is to re-wild the rescued elephants and moved to the Nam Pouy National Protected Area, a huge protected wildlife reserve. Another goal is to increase the elephant population naturally - allowing bulls and females to interact and choose their mates. The ECG is making a real difference. Arrive, observe, and learn. Thank you for watching 💕