Elephant Class Teachers Interviewed on Laos' Channel 1 on Anouluck Xang Song
Two teachers Phitsamai Kilivong and Noy Dedlakhone were interviewed on Channel One, Laos' Music channel, by host Bou Phetoudom. They...
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DEDICATED
TO
ELEPHANT
CONSERVATION
WHO ARE WE?
The Lao Elephant Initiative (LEI) was founded in January 2018 as a nonprofit, nonreligious, nonpolitical organization. Recognized as a State and Federal tax-exempt, publicly supported 501(c)(3) charitable organization, LEI maintains an office in Denver, CO, and currently supports elephant conservation projects in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.
We are working to ignite positive change for wild and captive Asian elephants.
ABOUT
MISSION / VISSION
OUR MISSION
The mission of Lao Elephant Initiative (LEI) is to promote the wellbeing of both captive and wild Asian elephants through education, community partnerships, and innovative conservation strategies.
MAKING THIS HAPPEN
Our work involves conservation and environmental initiatives, including our captive elephant welfare project, and our long-term intent to support growth of wild elephant populations in an area of Lao still populated by wild herds and with potential for a successful rewilding initiative. LEI conducts projects and programs internally and also provides grants to organizations that are doing work compatible with our mission.
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OURWORK
OUR WORK
We focus our work on three mission aligned areas highlighted below: education, partnerships, and conservation and protection
EDUCATION
TAKING ACTION FOR ELEPHANTS
LEI is focused on raising public awareness of the plight of elephants in Laos, working to build a new common understanding of what constitutes ethical and humane treatment and helping make this the new reality.
Learn about LEI's efforts to save elephants and improve their living conditions.
PARTNERSHIPS
ELEPHANTS: BORN TO BE WILD
Laos, once known as "Lan Xang," or the “Land of a Million Elephants,” has, over a short period of time, seen its elephant population plummet to dangerously low levels. Current estimates indicate that fewer than 800 (wild and captive) now live in the country.
LEI believes every elephant that can live in the wild should live wild. It is their birthright and best suits their fundamental nature. Our work on wild elephants will focus on making this a reality -- via initiative oversight or ensuring financial and staff support to an organization or coalition of experts who are working actively in this area.
CONSERVATION & PROTECTION
FEED THE ELEPHANTS PROGRAM
As a result of the crisis caused by COVID-19, the closing of borders and thus the lack of tourists and income, many elephant camps in and around Luang Prabang struggled to feed and care for their elephants.
Learn about how LEI provided help through our "Feed the Elephants" program during these difficult times.
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