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Stories & Updates From THE WILD WORLD
According to Vietnam’s Forestry Department, Vietnam is now home to only 100 to 130 wild elephants. Among them, Dong Nai province supports the second-largest wild elephant population in Vietnam, making it one of the most important strongholds for the survival of this endangered species.
Since June 2022, a network of 60 camera traps has recorded more than 450,000 wildlife images, allowing researchers to identify about 27 wild elephants living across three connected forest areas: the Dong Nai Nature and Culture Reserve, Cat Tien National Park, and the La Nga Forestry Company forest. Together, these forests form a vital wildlife corridor where elephants still move freely between feeding grounds, water sources, and breeding areas.
These numbers do more than describe a population. They tell the story of one of Vietnam’s last truly wild elephant herds, a group that continues to survive, reproduce, and roam across a shrinking landscape.
In this article, we explore these elephants, how they live, and how both people and conservation teams are working to protect their future in Cat Tien.
The Cat Tien elephant herd belongs to the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), the only elephant species still found in Vietnam. The population is estimated at 25 to 27 individuals, making it the second-largest wild elephant herd in the country. Camera-trap data show about 8 adult males and 3 adult females, and the presence of calves confirms the herd is still reproducing and remains healthy.
Like most wild elephants, they move constantly in search of food, water, and safe areas. They are mainly active at night, when they leave the forest to feed near forest edges and farmland with less human disturbance. Camera traps record their movements from late afternoon to early morning.
The herd ranges across Cat Tien National Park, the Dong Nai Nature and Culture Reserve, and La Nga Forestry Company land, traveling between Lam Dong and Dong Nai provinces. They mostly stay in forest areas such as Tri An, Phu Ly, Thanh Son, Ta Lai, and Dak Lua, where grasslands and open clearings provide food. One important site is the Nui Tuong grassland, which elephants have returned to after more than 20 years.
Elephants depend on water, so they stay near rivers, streams, and artificial ponds and mineral salt licks, especially in the dry season. When food is limited, they move closer to villages to feed on crops, while adult males roam farther during musth.
Cat Tien still has elephants because the forest has been protected since 1997, food and water remain abundant, and 75 km of electric fencing and 60 camera traps help keep both people and elephants safe.
The relationship between people and the wild elephant herd around Cat Tien National Park and its buffer zones is complex, emotional, and deeply human. Elephants are an essential part of the forest ecosystem, yet they also live very close to villages and farmland. In many cases, elephants have been recorded walking right up to farms and even near homes while searching for food.
Conflict happens because both elephants and people rely on the same land. During the dry season and harvest periods, elephants often leave the forest to feed on crops such as rice, cashew, bananas, and fruit, which provide rich and easy energy. Adult male elephants travel even farther, especially during musth, when they search for mates and new feeding areas. As a result, elephants sometimes damage crops, knock down trees, and break fences or small buildings.
Elephants are also highly intelligent. They have learned how to use their bodies and tree trunks to push down electric fence posts, opening paths into farmland. Between 2024 and early 2025, more than 100 fence-breaking incidents were recorded. Leaving the forest can also be dangerous for elephants. In May 2025, a young elephant died after falling into a well in the Ma Da area, a tragedy that affected both conservation teams and local communities.
Even with these challenges, there are many stories of peaceful coexistence. One of the most moving moments happened in August 2020, when a wild elephant gave birth in a farmer’s cashew plantation in Thanh Son. That night, the herd surrounded the mother to protect her. Although her calls were loud and lasted for hours, villagers stayed away to give her space. At sunrise, they watched as the newborn calf walked beside its mother and the herd returned quietly to the forest.
Over time, attitudes toward elephants have become more understanding. Campaigns such as “Kindness to Elephants and Nature” have helped people learn safer ways to live alongside wildlife. In places where villagers cooperate with rangers instead of chasing elephants, conflicts have decreased.
In many ways, people and elephants in Cat Tien are like two families sharing one large home. With patience, respect, and modern conservation tools, both are slowly learning how to live together under the same green roof.
Seeing wild elephants in Cat Tien National Park is a rare and special moment. These animals live freely in the forest, and sometimes they appear near grasslands, rivers, or forest roads. When this happens, the most important thing is to stay calm, keep distance, and let the elephants feel safe.
If people get too close, make noise, or block their path, elephants may feel stressed and change their behavior. Adult male elephants, especially during their musth period, are more sensitive and need even more space.
If you see elephants, follow these simple rules:
The safest and most respectful way to see elephants is through guided tours of Katien Ranger Patrol, which works closely with park rangers and conservation teams. These tours use real-time wildlife monitoring and local knowledge to choose safe routes and viewing points.
Let’s stay tuned for more exciting stories about nature and eco-tourism.
