We did it! Thank you!
We are thrilled to announce that thanks to all of you and last minute generous donors, the fundraising phase of our night fence project is officially complete! This critical initiative will ensure the safety of our elephants by providing a secure space at night, reducing the risk of roaming. We’re now in the process of organizing the delivery of materials from Thailand, and construction is set to begin shortly! An update will arrive soon, as building such a large fence in our landscape will be a challenge.
The team and elephants at the Mekong Elephant Park would like to send out a heartfelt THANK YOU to all our supporters. Your unwavering dedication and generosity have made this possible. We’re especially grateful to Laurent and Bernadette, Pierre and Anne Marie, and Peter Teleskivi who stepped in at the last minute to cover the remaining funds needed. We are constantly amazed by how much we can count on each of you to help us make a difference for these magnificent creatures.
Kham Khoun in musth
It’s that time of year again—our male elephant, Kham Khoun, is currently experiencing musth. But what exactly is musth?
It’s a fascinating, yet intense, natural phase that only occurs in healthy male elephants, marking a significant increase in testosterone levels. During musth, male elephants can become highly aggressive and unpredictable, as their bodies go through this hormonal surge. Their temporal glands release a strong-smelling secretion, and the intense physical and emotional changes can even cause them discomfort.
Musth typically lasts about a month and occurs around the same time each year. As Kham Khoun ages, his musth periods have become more prolonged and challenging.
Even the most gentle males can turn aggressive towards both humans and other elephants during this time.
We’re all hoping for a swift end to this phase so that Kham Khoun can safely rejoin the females and return to his usual self.
Welcome back, Mister Pan
We are overjoyed to welcome back a familiar face to the team—Mister Pan!
After spending a year working in Thailand, Mister Pan has returned to resume his role as second mahout for Kham Khoun. This is no small feat, as looking after a male elephant like Kham Khoun is far more complex than looking after females. Male elephants tend to be solitary and fiercely independent, which requires a mahout with deep experience and understanding. Kham Khoun has already started accepting Mister Pan again, and the entire team, led by our head mahout Noy Peak, believes they are well on their way to rekindling their bond.
It’s worth noting that male elephants, especially during musth, can only challenge their mahouts, making this role incredibly demanding. Additionally, Mister Pan is the only mahout besides Noy Peak who can look after different elephants when needed, thanks to his lifelong experience with these majestic creatures.
P.S. We may have some exciting news regarding male elephants coming soon! Stay tuned for updates!
We are featured in
ROAD TRIP Moto Magazine
We are always excited to see the park featured in publications, and this month, we’re thrilled to appear in Road Trip Magazine!
A special thank you to Clement for riding his motorcycle all the way to Pakbeng to spend time with our elephants. We appreciate his support and the exposure this brings to our park and conservation efforts.
Wallpaper of the month
This month’s wallpaper is dedicated to the remarkable bond between Noy Peak, our most senior mahout, and Kham Khoun, our only male elephant. They share a connection that goes beyond words as they spent 35 years together. Often, they communicate with just a glance, an understanding born of mutual respect. We hope that this image brings a sense of peace and joy to your screen, serving as a reminder of the powerful relationship between human and animal.
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