MEET OUR ELEPHANTS & MAHOUTS
Born: 1992 (Ban That Boten)
Date of rescue at the Mekong Elephant Park: February 2025
Born in northern Laos, Dokeo endured years of hard labor. After a decade spent hauling timber in the logging industry, he was sold to work in the tourism industry in Luang Prabang. There, he spent four long years carrying tourists, deprived of the forest, adequate food, and any social interaction. Living under harsh conditions, he arrived severely emaciated, with foot infections and injuries, and mentally fragile.
Today, Dokeo is already showing signs of a positive transformation: he has already regained 400 kilos and is finally enjoying a natural, soothing environment.
Mahout: Mr Noyin
From: Ban Beemee
Born: 1965
Mahout of Dokeo
Noyin is our most senior mahout. Born into a Lao Leu family who lived and worked with five elephants, he has been surrounded by elephants since childhood. Today, he is entrusted with the care of Dokeo, our recently rescued male. Handling a bull elephant requires deep experience—especially during musth periods—and Noyin’s wisdom and strong values make him the perfect guardian for Dokeo.
Mae Ping (F)
Born: 1997 (Hongsa, Sayaboury)
Date of rescue at the Mekong Elephant Park: 2009
Mae Ping arrived in her early years at the park and was therefore lucky not to work in the logging industry. Her power and character has only been harnessed through tenderness. Today, she is thriving as an elephant, living with her aunts in her natural environment. Mae Ping has a very special charisma, and has always been able to get what she wants.
She is very touching, dynamic, naughty, and sometimes an undisciplined elephant. All that gives her a very special charm.
Mahout: Mr Kong
From: Ban Beemee
Born: 1985
Mahout of Mae Ping
Kong comes from Ban Beemee, a village in northern Laos where every family once had elephants. As a member of the Lao Leu ethnic group—known for their deep elephant knowledge—he grew up with elephants and learned to understand them from a young age. Today, he cares for Mae Ping, our youngest and most spirited female. His calm experience makes him the ideal match for her strong and rebellious nature.
Mae Nin (F)
Born: 1992 (Hongsa, Sayaboury)
Date of rescue at the Mekong Elephant Park: July 2023
After living alone and away from her family for almost 15 years, Mae Nin was reunited with her family at the sanctuary in July 2023.
She spent many years working in the logging industry alongside her half-sister Mae Nat. Both of them have a very strong bond and spend all their time together. But that’s not all — Mae Nin also partly raised her niece Mae Ping after her mother was sold to China.
Mahout: Mr Chai
From: Ban Houey Kha
Born: 1992
Mahout of Mae Nin
Chai comes from Ban Houey Kha, a small Kamu village located five hours’ walk from Pakbeng. He previously lived and worked with elephants, but when the elephant he cared for passed away, he stepped away from the profession. Ten years later, Chai felt ready to return—and when Mae Nin joined the park, he naturally accepted to become her mahout. Both are young, energetic, and love food—a lively and joyful pairing that continues to grow in trust and harmony.
Mae Nat(F)
Born: 1980 (Hongsa, Sayaboury)
Date of rescue at the Mekong Elephant Park: January 2023
Mae Nat history is one that’s all too common with elephants held in captivity. For many years, she once worked in the loggin industry and later on was living in Japan working in the tourism industry in a circus.
Through a rescue project and thanks to the generosity of our supporters all around the world, Mae Nat has finally joined the Mekong Elephant Park family in January 2023.
Mahout: Mr Seung
From: Mok Kan
Born: 1998
Mahout of Mae Nat
Mr Seung is the youngest mahout on our team. With no prior experience around elephants, he learns every day by observing the animals and working closely with his fellow mahouts. His calm, quiet personality is a perfect match for Mae Nat, who shares the same gentle energy. Always smiling when in the company of elephants, Seung is a great example of our mission to inspire new generations of Laotians to take part in ethical elephant care.
Mae Kham (F)
Born: 1954 (Borthan, Sayaboury)
Date of rescue at the Mekong Elephant Park: 2008
Mae Kham worked in the logging industry for over 40 years. She has many scars on her head and her ears are torn, all resulting from her difficult past when she was beaten. Being so old means she suffers from arthritis when it rains, nevertheless, it bestowed her the privileged status of matriarch of the herd.
Now enjoying her life at the Mekong Elephant Park, she is very calm, sweet, and kind. She is not fond of water and often prefers taking dust baths.
Mahout: Mr Vee
From: Na Nong Kham (Hongsa District)
Born: 1984
Mahout of Mae Kham
Vee joined the park when Mae Kham’s former mahout retired. Although he doesn’t come from a mahout family, his gentle and composed nature quickly made him a natural fit. Mae Kham, our oldest elephant, needs a calm and attentive presence—especially during her moments of fatigue. Vee is learning to understand her personality and routines while building a strong and trusting bond. His quiet dedication and care are appreciated by both the team and Mae Kham herself.
Kham Khoun (M)
Born: 1988 (Hongsa, Sayaboury)
Date of rescue at the Mekong Elephant Park: 2016
Kham Khoun is a gentle and calm elephant, with a sort of quiet strength, but you have to beware of the sleeping water as he can become aggressive during its musth periods.
He arrived at the park by truck in 2016 from the village of Ban Bimi. Before his rescue, he spent several years working in the logging industry. Kham Khoun is a stocky and powerful elephant. He has a piece of his trunk missing since he was 4 years old. He has since learned to live and feed himself despite this handicap.
Chief Mahout: Mr Pan
From: Ban Thong
Born: 1980
Mahout of Kham Khoun
Pan is our most knowledgeable and experienced mahout. Coming from a long family line of elephant owners, he has worked with elephants since his teenage years. Today, he is the main mahout of Kham Khoun, a strong and territorial male that requires skill, firmness, and trust. Pan’s leadership and professionalism make him a respected mentor to the rest of the mahout team. He is also responsible for passing on traditional know-how to the next generation.
Mahout: Mr Lit
From: Ban Thong
Born: 1976
Mahout of Kham Khoun (Second Mahout)
Lit grew up in Ban Thong, a traditional mahout village, and developed a love for elephants from a young age. He is the second mahout of Kham Khoun and also steps in for other elephants when their main mahout is absent. Alongside Mr. Pan, he is one of the few who can safely work with our dominant male. Lit also knows the forest like the back of his hand—ask him anything about it!