VietNamNet Bridge – A 40-year-old male elephant, which carried tourists on sightseeing trips for years in the Central Highland Dak Lak Province's Ban Don tourism area, died of overwork on Sunday, March 9.

Elephants carry tourists on sightseeing trips in Ban Don Area Tourism. — Photo Yokdonnationalpark.vn

Authorised local agencies disposed of the body of the captive elephant as per regulations.

This is not the first time that a captive elephant has died of overwork, while carrying tourists in the province.

Statistics from the provincial agriculture and rural development department show that Dak Lak is now home to about 50 ‘domesticated' elephants.

The average lifespan of elephants is believed to be up to 80 years.

On the same day, Director of the Dak Lak Elephant Conservation Centre Huynh Trung Luan said that the centre has received a three-year-old elephant, which was found injured in the Yok Don National Park nearly two weeks ago.

Experts from the Animals Asia Organisation cure the three-year-old elephant's injuries. — Photo Dak Lak Elephant Conservation Centre

The centre's staff co-operated with the Animals Asia Organisation to save the elephant.

The 500-kg elephant is now stable, and is expected to be released into the wild after full recovery.

VNS