Nine elephants found in Vietnam’s Da Nang protected forest
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Officials in Da Nang, Vietnam, recently discovered a herd of nine elephants within the Da Nang Special-Use Forest, including two young calves.
Lê Hoàng Sơn, Director of the Da Nang Special-Use Forest Management Board, announced the finding after reviewing images captured by camera traps. The herd was first recorded on April 9th, but the data required over two months to analyze due to the volume of images collected from hundreds of memory cards.
This is the largest number of elephants ever documented in the conservation area, surpassing a previous count of six individuals recorded when the area was established in 2017. Sơn stated the presence of calves indicates the elephant population is growing and reproducing successfully within the protected forest. The Da Nang Special-Use Forest Management Board has restricted human access to the elephants’ habitat to ensure their safety and development.
The board initially deployed 30 camera traps across 15 locations in April 2025, following reports from local residents. These cameras have also captured images of other rare species including large and Truong Son serow, brown and gray langurs, and several types of pheasant. Data from the cameras helps authorities understand animal distribution, behavior, and range, allowing them to prioritize conservation efforts and adjust patrol routes.
Alongside camera traps and drone technology, forest rangers conducted 520 patrols in the first four months of the year, dismantling illegal hunting camps and traps. The board also supports projects aimed at fostering coexistence between humans and elephants, helping to ensure the long-term survival of the wild elephant population in the region.
