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The largest population of Asian elephant is mainly consisted of Laos Elephant. It is wonderful to know about the projects regarding the elephants. Conservation of an important elephant population is undertaken by WCS in Nakai-Nam Theun National Protected Area. They are trying to reduce human-elephant conflict.
Laos Elephant are facing many problems because of deforestation. Human-elephant conflicts are increasing as people are trying to occupy more area for building houses. Poaching has become another threat for them as both local and trans-boundary hunters are killing the Elephants of Laos. On the other hand the elephants are causing loss of human life. Agricultural fields, logging, hydro power projects and infrastructure development are also being hampered.
WCS is trying to make up an intense research. Reservation and training are being emphasized. The Elephant Park Project give a new home to the working Elephants in Laos. Both domestic and wild elephants can be seen throughout the country. The pushing of wild elephants towards the localities is a result of deforestation.
Laos Elephant are becoming a serious issue day by day. The Elephant Observation Tower, Department of Forestry, Department Livestock and Fisheries, Wildlife Conservation Society, World Wild Fund, IUCN and Elefantasia have met to discuss regarding some issues like the social and economic role of the elephants, their medical care etc.
Laos is described as the "The land of a Million Elephants". Therefore elephants always play an important role in the culture and tradition of Lao PDR. Sayabury and Champassak provinces enjoy a huge elephant population along with a "culture of the elephant". Elephant is a main source of income of the people of this region especially for mahouts who don't have access to proper medicine and veterinary care.
Laos Elephant also attract tourist because of the facility of elephant riding.
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