The Prime Minister has approved an urgent action plan through 2020 to save the elephant population, which are on the brink of extinction in Vietnam.

The plan aims to prevent the decreasing numbers of the animal and ensure that at least three reserves are established and developed in the 21st century to protect them, especially the domestic elephants in the Central Highland province of Dak Lak.

The plan also aims to minimize clashes between elephants and humans.

Elephant habitats in Dak Lak, Dong Nai and Nghe An provinces, which meet the requirements for preserving the species, will continue to be protected

Another focus will be placed on saving small elephant groups. The plan aims to provide the best possible conditions for their survival, and in worst scenarios, these elephants will be moved to other regions.

The action plan also includes micro-chipping domestic elephants and closely monitoring and controlling their movements to help with the preservation efforts.

An elephant conservation and research centre will be built in Dak Lak to study the reproduction of domestic elephants in order to increase their numbers.

A communication campaign to raise public awareness of the urgent need to protect elephants will also be launched.

Law enforcement agencies, especially in border areas, are asked to improve their capacity to effectively deal with the illegal hunting of elephants, as well as trafficking and trading in their products.

According to the Vietnam Administration of Forestry, there are only 75-130 elephant individuals left in 15 regions across the country, including Son La, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Nam, Dong Nai and the Central Highland provinces.

The animals are scattered in very small groups with the largest consisting of less than 20 members. This situation can easily lead to the extinction of the species in the country unless immediate measures to manage the population are taken.

VNA