President Thongloun Sisoulith Visits Manifa Elephant Conservation Camp in Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang Province, Lao PDR, 12 July 2026 — H.E. Thongloun Sisoulith, General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and President of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, visited the Manifa Elephant Conservation Camp in Pak Ou District as part of his working visit to Luang Prabang Province.

The President was accompanied by Mr. Bounleuam Manivong, Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Luang Prabang Provincial Party Committee and President of the Provincial People’s Council, together with provincial leaders and representatives of relevant authorities.

The visit provided an opportunity to review the camp’s work in elephant conservation, animal health and welfare, sustainable tourism, environmental protection and income generation for local communities.

During the visit, the management of Manifa camp briefed the President on the camp’s operations, including veterinary care, elephant husbandry, welfare management, conservation activities and the development of nature-based tourism. Particular attention was given to responsible tourism practices that balance visitor experiences with the welfare of elephants and the protection of their natural environment.

The camp currently cares for nine elephants and has operated since 2009. It provides visitors with opportunities to learn about elephant care, feeding and bathing, as well as other nature-based tourism activities, including river excursions, visits to the Pak Ou Caves, kayaking and accommodation in a natural setting.

The camp’s elephant activities are conducted across more than 100 hectares of forested land. Its operations have also expanded to the Kuang Si Falls area, where associated conservation and tourism activities cover a wider forest landscape.

During the visit, the President emphasized the importance of continuing to improve elephant conservation standards, animal welfare, tourism services and environmental management. He encouraged relevant authorities and tourism operators to ensure that elephant-related tourism generates sustainable benefits for surrounding communities while protecting natural resources and promoting a positive image of Lao tourism internationally.

The visit also highlighted Lao PDR’s broader commitment to strengthening the conservation and management of Asian elephants in accordance with national legislation and the country’s obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

As a CITES Party, Lao PDR continues to strengthen the registration, identification, monitoring and traceability of captive elephants. These measures are essential for verifying the legal status and ownership of individual elephants, monitoring their movement, preventing illegal capture and trade, and ensuring that any management or transfer is conducted in accordance with national law and applicable CITES requirements.

The Government is also strengthening national elephant information systems, individual identification records, veterinary documentation and coordination among central, provincial and local authorities. These efforts support transparent and accountable elephant management and contribute to the prevention of illegal international trade in elephants and their parts and derivatives.

The President’s visit to Manifa camp reflects the high-level attention given by the Party and Government to elephant conservation, animal welfare, green tourism and the sustainable use of natural resources. It also reaffirms Lao PDR’s determination to meet its international commitments under CITES while ensuring that elephant conservation contributes to national development and long-term benefits for local communities.

News and photographs by: Thanousinh Itthiphon