China-Laos collaboration enhances Asian elephant conservation

The China-Laos cross-border Asian elephant conservation collaboration stands as a model of effective international cooperation in wildlife protection, highlighting the importance of collaborative efforts in ensuring the survival and well-being of endangered species like the Asian elephant, experts said.

Asian elephants are classified as a first-class nationally protected wild animal in China. "Globally, wild Asian elephants are found in 13 countries, including China, Thailand, Laos and India, with a total population estimated at 40,000 to 50,000. In China, the population has grown from around 150 in the 1960s to approximately 300 today," said Xiong Chaoyong, deputy director of the Asian Elephant Protection and Management Center in Xishuangbanna Dai autonomous prefecture.

Xiong noted that some wild Asian elephants living near the China-Laos border frequently cross between the two countries. "If we only protect these elephants on the Chinese side, their safety is not fully guaranteed when they cross into Laos. Therefore, the government of China initiated joint conservation efforts with the Lao government in 2006," Xiong said, adding China provides technical support, equipment and funds.

"To date, the China-Laos joint Asian elephant protection area spans 200,000 hectares and has implemented over 40 joint conservation measures. The elephants can safely travel abroad and return, demonstrating the effectiveness of international cross-border conservation," Xiong added.

According to Chen Fei, director of the Asian Elephant Research Center under the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, long-term monitoring and surveys have identified around 300 Asian elephants in China, with nearly 100 freely crossing the China-Laos border.

Cross-border conservation is crucial for species protection, ensuring natural interactions between Asian elephants in Yunnan, China, and those in Laos, thereby preventing genetic degradation, Chen emphasized.

"The ability of Asian elephants to freely traverse the border indicates excellent ecological protection in the region. Last year, during an international meeting, the success of the China-Laos cross-border conservation efforts was praised, and continued in-situ conservation work was encouraged," said Chen.

"Under the current collaboration framework, China and Laos hold annual exchange meetings, conduct cross-border patrols and other biodiversity conservation activities. Our team have conducted surveys and monitoring of populations and habitats in the cross-border area, which shows a healthy and growing elephant population and improving habitat quality," Chen said.

"Our next step is to expand the joint protection area and strengthen the collaboration efforts."