Wild elephant herd sighting in Xayaboury gives hope to conservationists

A herd of wild elephants spotted in a National Protected Area in Xayaboury province. - VT

VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/Asia News Network): Images of a herd of wild elephants on the banks of a river in the Nam Poui National Protected Area in Xayaboury province, which appeared on social media recently, are seen as a positive sign in efforts to increase the elephant population.

The Nam Poui National Protected Area is located in Xayaboury province in northwest Laos. This 1,912-km2 site was identified as a top priority for elephant conservation by the government at a national elephant conservation meeting in 2008.