Mandalao Elephant Conservation and Vantara, a global wildlife conservation organisation based in Gujarat, India, have launched a new programme to strengthen elephant welfare, veterinary care and conservation in Laos.
The initiative follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two organisations and aims to expand veterinary capacity, provide retirement and lifelong care for elephants in need, and support the conservation of Laos’ remaining wild elephant population.
Laos, historically known as Lan Xang or the “Land of a Million Elephants”, is now estimated to have around 400 wild elephants and more than 400 elephants in captivity. Both populations continue to decline. Wild elephants face habitat loss, fragmentation, human-elephant conflict and poaching, while many captive elephants remain involved in logging and tourism with limited access to specialised veterinary care.
As part of the programme, an Elephant Rapid Response Team has been inaugurated at Mandalao Elephant Conservation in Luang Prabang in the presence of Lao government representatives. Vantara has provided a fully equipped mobile veterinary unit, enabling the team to respond to sick and injured elephants across Laos, including both wild and captive animals.
The partnership will also establish a specialised elephant hospital for emergency treatment, rehabilitation and long-term care.
The programme coincides with the rescue of Mae Khamnoy, a 43-year-old female elephant who spent her life working in logging operations. She reportedly lost two calves during pregnancy and was later kept alone beside a busy road in Vientiane, where she was used for tourist rides and performances.
Mae Khamnoy will now retire at Mandalao, where she will receive veterinary treatment, a natural diet and the opportunity to live alongside other elephants. Her rescue highlights the welfare challenges faced by working elephants, including injuries, unsuitable riding equipment and the use of hooks.
The organisations also conducted a health camp for 12 elephants at Mandalao, providing comprehensive health assessments, diagnostic services and specialist consultations. Training will also be provided to local elephant caregivers and veterinarians on welfare, nutrition, husbandry and preventive healthcare.
The partnership will further focus on Laos’ wild elephants through population recovery, habitat protection, community engagement and measures to reduce human-elephant conflict and poaching.
Dr Tim Bouts, Elephant Veterinary Specialist at Mandalao, said the rapid response team represents a major step forward for elephant welfare and veterinary care in Laos. Ajit Kulkarni, Special Director, Compliance and Due Diligence, Vantara, said the partnership aims to make a lasting contribution to the future of Laos’ elephants by combining veterinary care, local expertise and conservation efforts.
The collaboration brings together Mandalao’s experience in Laos and Vantara’s veterinary, technical and conservation expertise to strengthen the country’s long-term capacity to protect and care for elephants.
