Elephants in Yok Don National Park

Riding elephants is a popular service that almost all tourists want to experience in the Central Highlands. But starting this month, tourists to Yok Don National Park in Dak Lak province will no longer be able to ride elephants because of a deal between the Park and the Asian Animal Fund to promote environmentally friendly tourism. Instead of riding elephants, tourists will engage in other activities, such as observing elephants in nature.  Elephants will no longer be used in festival activities and will be better cared for.

The Asian Animal Fund will provide 65,000 USD for project implementation from now to July 2023 and send experts to promote the new tourism model.

Pham Tuan Linh, Deputy Director of Yok Don National Park, said that over the past 3 years, the Park has replaced its elephant riding service with more elephant-friendly activities. With AAF support, the project will gradually change public attitudes toward elephants in tourism and wildlife protection in general.

Animal circuses, very popular with children, have been a trademark of the Vietnam Circus Federation. Animal circuses and exchanges between caretakers and animals have taught children to love nature and animals. Recently the circus has changed to feature pigs, dogs, cats, buffalos, ostriches, and parrots, rather than elephants, bears, monkeys, and horses.

People’s Artist Ta Duy Anh, Director of the Vietnam Circus Federation, said: “We support the protection of wild animals. We’ll relocate our wild beasts to ecological parks or zoos. We’ll train domesticated animals for our circus performances.”