2 Mahouts / 1 Elephant
Kham Khoun, Mr Pan and Mr Lit
Kham Khoun is one of our most impressive males. Powerful, stocky, and with a commanding presence, he naturally stands out within the herd. Working alongside him requires experience, composure, and a deep understanding of his behaviour. Like many mature males, he can be territorial at times, which is carefully managed by our experienced team to ensure the safety and wellbeing of both elephants and mahouts.
Having arrived at the park in 2016 from the village of Ban Bimi, after several years in the logging industry, Kham Khoun also bears the scars of his past. In particular, he lost part of his trunk at the age of four, and has since learnt to live and feed himself despite this disability.
He is generally a calm elephant, possessing a quiet strength. But as is often the case, one must be wary of still waters: during the musth period, his behaviour can become unpredictable and highly aggressive. During these phases, which last between one and two months, he is moved to a secluded area in the forest and changes valleys, for his own safety, that of the teams and the other elephants.
Outside these periods, he has settled in very well to life in the park. He spends time around the herd and visitors without any particular difficulty, and coexists with Dokéo, although as the dominant male with a more territorial nature, Kham Khoun can sometimes lead Dokéo to keep his distance when he senses he is not in the mood.
Another surprising aspect of Kham Khoun is his relationship with the females: since his arrival, he has shown no interest in reproduction, as if some of his instincts had faded over time, or as if he had received chemical injections designed to limit his periods of musth, which could have affected his ability to reproduce.
At his side are two experienced mahouts, whose complementary skills are essential for looking after an elephant like Kham Khoun.
Mr Pan, chief mahout
Pan is undoubtedly the most experienced mahout in our team. Coming from a long line of elephant owners and keepers, he grew up with them and has worked alongside them since his teenage years.
Today, as Kham Khoun’s lead mahout, he brings the expertise and firmness essential when dealing with a male of this temperament. His natural leadership and professionalism make him a true pillar of the park, but also a respected mentor, who passes on the skills and knowledge inherited from this tradition to the younger mahouts on a daily basis.
Mr Lit
Lit, too, grew up in the world of elephants, in the traditional village of Ban Thong. As Kham Khoun’s second mahout, he works closely with Mr Pan and also takes over with other elephants when necessary.
With his experience and extensive knowledge of the terrain, he is one of the few people capable of safely accompanying a dominant male. He also knows the forest like the back of his hand: plants, paths, seasons… and loves sharing this knowledge with visitors.
At Mekong Elephant Park, accompanying an elephant like Kham Khoun means accepting his complexity. And, above all, recognising the vital role of those who know how to listen to him, anticipate his needs and grow alongside him. Without them, Kham Khoun would be condemned to remain in an enclosure or chained up permanently. Thanks to them, he can move freely within the sanctuary, access the Mekong and socialise with the other elephants. For some males with difficult behaviour, who have already been involved in serious incidents with humans, the most common alternative unfortunately remains their sale, so that different parts of their bodies can be used to make medicines.
So thank you to Pan and Lit for making this life possible for Kham Khoun.
A year of patrols and care funded — thank you!
There are encounters that leave a lasting mark on a project.
Following the visit of Marianne Trüb, who helped introduce and share the Mekong Elephant Park project more widely, a committed supporter discovered our initiative and chose to stand alongside us. Deeply aligned with our mission, this support reflects a shared commitment to animal protection and the preservation of natural habitats. A huge thank you for this wonderful show of trust and for this strong start to the year, which allows us to move full steam ahead towards our ambitions.
This support goes far beyond mere funding. Thanks to them, we have been able to secure a full year of military patrols (10,000 dollars), as well as medical costs for our elephants. A concrete commitment that allows us to move forward with confidence on these two essential aspects of the project.
The patrols have already begun. Out in the field, their presence makes all the difference: protecting the area, monitoring activities, and preserving a healthy environment for the elephants. We’ll soon be sharing photos of new residents or their footprints as they settle into the sanctuary.
A huge thank you to them for this wonderful show of trust and for this start to the year, which allows us to move full steam ahead towards our ambitions.
One year since Dokeo’s rescue
A year ago, we raised the funds to buy Dokeo so that he could spend his life at Mekong Elephant Park. A defining moment, symbolising a new beginning after years of hard work, far from the forest and his basic needs. Today, Dokeo is at home.
In just one year, his progress has been remarkable. He has regained his strength, found his balance and has gradually integrated into the rest of the herd. Having arrived in a weakened state, he is now discovering a life of free movement, regular care and simple pleasures, such as bathing in the Mekong or walks in the forest. But beyond his physical condition, it is above all his sense of calm that stands out. Day by day, he grows more serene, finds his bearings and forges bonds.
Relive his rescue:
A huge thank you to them for this wonderful show of trust and for this start to the year, which allows us to move full steam ahead towards our ambitions.
Wallpaper of the month
This month, our wallpaper features Kham Khoun and Dokeo, our two male elephants of the moment. Two very different yet complementary personalities: Kham Khoun’s assertive strength and Dokeo’s journey of recovery, brought together in a single image.
Our donors in 2025
The year 2025 was marked by a tremendous outpouring of solidarity. Every contribution, regardless of the amount, helped to improve the lives of our elephants and support the protection of their environment.
We would like to take this opportunity to warmly thank those who supported Mekong Elephant Park through APEEL.
€5,000 and above
Peter Teleskivi
€1,000 to €4,999
Bernadette Chapalay Bonnet
Arnaud Adam
David & Emmanuelle Caillouel
Anna & Kevin Wüst
Jean Claude Heidmann
Jean-Louis Laflute
The NGO Lao Elephant Initiative
The NGO Sirtema Stichting
€500 to €999
Nevil De Tscharner
Geraldine Lefebvre
Anne-Marie & Pierre Rohatyn
Janine Gray
Eric & Andrea Mueller
€100 to €499
Karon Mousley
Bree Family
Rachel Rue
Christine Martin
Anaïs Fourt
Anne Houdbine Soret
Apsara Adventures LLC Katalin Aniko Gaspar
Sylvie Serre
Francois Petit
Catherine Le Scao
Anne Tarrius
Marie-Paule O’Reilly
Martine Jaffres
Anne Giroud
Rene Moreau
Marie Helene Royer
Alix et Patrick Meunier
Anna Kramer
Anne Hunt
Anne & Bruno Hamon
Caroline Nicot
Francois Chevet
Marc Intha-amnouay
Sylvie Pascal
Thi Mai Trinh Segurel
Katja Lehmann
Audrey Gregori
Lukas Bissig
Isabelle Pirat
Lydie Castellon
Melinda Rozgics
Rosemary et Gerard Dieudonné
Maguy Campanelli
Georges Levy
Sylvie Malbrunot
Roxane Cornet
Christel & Jean
Laurane Lacan
Maria Garcia
Françoise Eude
Florence Schaal
Manon & Ava Duplan Guillet
Valérie Bossart
Chantal Karila
Luc Dirickx
Jean-Luc Mespoulet
Chantal Huet
Patricia Gerodier
Gérard Dumas
Ismael Adam
Sylvie Mongellaz
Jenny & Tony Stanton
Bénédicte Memin
Stuart Stoker
Didier Gautier
Christian Breniaux
Christine Antoine
Brigitte Casalini
Jean Goudier
Ingrid Titova
Philippe Delaunay
Maurice Cousty
Violène Salem
Janick Raquin
Isabelle Levy
Lesly Bruneval
Marie Boisrobert
Renaud Pellet
Isabelle Donnadieu
François Courtot
Sylvie Morel Vallons
Fabrice Boudin
Ken & Monique Leggat
Jérôme Petit
Evelyne Mesnager
Pierre Guy-Fargier
Marie Claire Gravelle
Patrick Furaut
Monique Augereau
Up to €99
Marion Feuillet
Camille Dulau
Sarah Sailly
Nathalie Mathery
Charlotte Chaigne-Doreau
Antoine Coppermann
Julia Oudin
Bob Hunt
Alain Barjhoux
Tracy Vandermay
Marie-Dominique Georgin
Alexandra Boissonnade
Laurence Guerin
Ann Haynes
Nancy Huguenin Moehl
Julie Etchevers
Saga Weissmann
Miia Nousiainen
Nea Hyyrynen
Liisa Sivonen
Maxime Cordier
Josette Morand
Anabel Denost
Melanie Yersin
Marie-Eve Pio-Gally
Charlotte Valade
Pauline Kobersi
Geneviève Pagny
Joel Simon
Corine Guyotte
Anne-Laure Prebay
Brigitte Ferrua
Chris Johnston
Bruno Laurin
Pauline Lunn
Marie Chevalier
Corinne Cornet
Prudence Neale
Claire Thoannes
Patricia Gerson
Jack Schulman
Gilles Grisolle
Marie Giorgi
Aude Schneider
Evelyne Lafitte
Annick Orfeo
Myriam Hay
Eliane Lecomte
Jennifer Vanwagner
Emmanuelle Malcles
Sophie Devey
Nathalie Adam
Laurence Agogué
Jean-Paul Charlot
Armelle Sorel
Jean-Claude Rey
Anik Friederich
Catherine Laynaud-Orion
Claude Louise estable
Martin Etzrodt
Cécile Motard
Michel Foulon
Valerie Bossart
Monique Tas
Yveline Blaise
Aurélie Picard
Marie Amanieu
Lea Bellanger
Laurence Vacher
Marie Galeron
Elaine Crush
Annie Maussire
Muriel Smak
Laura Lorman
Julien Bernardi-Larkin
Beyond the amounts, it is the intention and trust that count. Every donation, large or small, helps to keep the project alive and build a more respectful future for elephants.