A suitcase full of solidarity
Sometimes, a journey doesn’t end when you return home.
At the start of the year, Christine Vielet came to visit the Mekong Elephant Park. Back in France, at her veterinary practice L’Aubier in Hiersac, she wanted to continue looking after our residents, even from several thousand kilometres away, by collecting and sending veterinary supplies to the sanctuary.
Thanks to her generosity – and by covering the full cost of both the purchase and the postage of the supplies – we recently received a valuable parcel containing, amongst other things, syringes suitable for elephants, needles, anti-parasitic treatments, bandages and various veterinary supplies essential to our day-to-day work.
This support is particularly welcome, as it is often difficult to find certain items of equipment suitable for elephant care in Laos. More recently, an injury to Dokeo’s tail had almost completely depleted our stock of bandages.
These supplies will enable us to provide regular care for our elephants: blood tests, anti-parasitic treatments, veterinary check-ups and treatment in the event of injury.
A huge thank you to Christine for this wonderful initiative. It is also thanks to this kind of practical support that we can continue to provide the best possible care for our elephants.
Three years at home already, Mae Nin
This month marks the third anniversary of Mae Nin’s arrival at Mekong Elephant Park.
When she joined the sanctuary in July 2023, it wasn’t just about rescuing an elephant. It was also a story of reunion.
After nearly fifteen years apart, Mae Nin was finally reunited with her half-sister Mae Nat, with whom she had once worked in the logging industry.
Despite the years and the hardships, their bond had never faded. Even today, the two sisters spend much of their time together, often inseparable.
Photos: © @monomaticuk & Benjamin Herblin
But Mae Nin also holds a special place in Mae Ping’s heart. When Mae Ping’s mother was sold to China, Mae Nin naturally took her niece under her wing. She played a part in her upbringing, looked after her and helped shape her into the well-adjusted and curious elephant we know today.
Photos: © @monomaticuk & Benjamin Herblin
Three years on, Mae Nin remains one of the herd’s most prominent figures. Discreet yet attentive, she looks after her own and reminds us every day just how essential family bonds are among elephants.
Her story reminds us that conservation is not just about protecting individuals. It is also about preserving the relationships, families and social structures that enable elephants to thrive.
Photos: © @monomaticuk
🎂💚 Happy third anniversary at home, Mae Nin 🎉
A footprint that gives us great hope
During one of our most recent patrols in our protected area, a particularly encouraging discovery caught our attention: a cat’s paw print. After consulting with the WWF teams, it could be an Asian Golden Cat, a secretive predator that is rarely sighted.
Of course, a single footprint does not provide absolute certainty. But it is already fantastic news for our project.
Why? Because the return of predators is often a sign that their prey are also returning. In other words, that the ecosystem is gradually regaining its balance.
This discovery highlights just how important the patrols we carry out in the area are. Their presence helps to combat poaching, curb illegal activities and provide wildlife with a safer environment in which to re-establish itself.
Our next challenge is now to confirm this presence using night-vision cameras. Unfortunately, we currently have only one camera for the entire protected area. If you know of a company, organisation or individual who might be able to help us obtain night-vision surveillance cameras, please do not hesitate to contact us.
In the longer term, we hope that gradually making this area safer will enable us to consider the return, or even the reintroduction, of other wild species. For us, this simple footprint in the mud may well be more than just a trace: it is an encouraging sign that nature is slowly reclaiming its place…
Wallpaper of the month
This month, our wallpaper features Mae Nin, as we celebrate three years of her being at Mekong Elephant Park. A vital female elephant, guardian of the herd’s family bonds. Three years after her arrival, this image provides an opportunity to celebrate her journey, her resilience and the peaceful life she has rediscovered with her family.
