Asian elephants Elephas maximus have been captured and trained by Lao mahouts for centuries. While captive elephants are losing their traditional relevance, they still play a significant role in the Lao logging and tourism industries. However, with only an estimated 480 captive elephants remaining nationally and only ~60 cows under 35 yr of age, the future viability of this population is uncertain. We assessed > 80% of the captive elephant population and used VORTEX software to create 7 population viability analysis scenarios. Our results demonstrate that without changes to conservation management the current population is likely to be extinct in 112 yr (r = −0.099). Reduced mortality rates, increased reproductive rates and population supplementation will give the population an additional 108 yr of longevity, but will not, of themselves, prevent extinction. Management programs should direct efforts towards in situ breeding programs, a cessation in calf exportation, improved veterinary care and population supplementation. Since captive populations are also small and declining in other range nations, there is also a case for managing all Asian elephants as a single management unit. KEY WORDS: Asian elephants · Captive elephants · Elephas maximus · Lao PDR · Population viability · VORTEX Resale or republication not permitted without written consent of the publisherEndang Species Res 24: [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] 2014 fragmentation, poaching and human− elephant conflict (Norachack 2002, Sukumar 2006, Khounboline 2011. A lack of capacity and investment in conservation are also recognized as major species management impediments (Norachack 2002, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry 2009).For centuries captive elephants have shaped Lao communities, with only minor deviations from traditional practices occurring. Both elephant acquisition and usage have changed, bringing about a major change in mahout lifestyle. Historically a calf would be captured from the wild as needed by the local mahout community. The viability of the captive elephant population was never considered until the Government of Laos introduced a ban on wild elephant capture in 1989 (Sukumar 2003). This ban had an immediate impact on the captive elephant population, with few calves entering the population since 1989 (Fig. 1). As long as elephants were traditionally captured from wild populations, mahouts never needed any knowledge of elephant reproduction (Lair 1997). As a result, the captive population now confronts a number of demographic challenges such as an aging population, inadequate replacement rate, a declining number of females of reproductive age, a lack of breeding opportunities and, recently, excessive calf exportation (Lair 1997, Sukumar 2003, ElefantAsia 2007, Khounboline 2011. Under CITES rental agreements it is believed that over the past 5 yr the Government of Laos has exported an estimated 10% of the nation's calves (S. Duffillot, pers. comm., 12 September 2012). Rentals or outright gifts are typically granted to countries sy...
Communities in the Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR) have been utilizing captive Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) for centuries. The elephant handler (mahout) profession has remained fundamentally unchanged. Captive elephants, however, are no longer necessary in roles where they were once considered vital, particularly the logging industry. To gauge mahout demographics and assess problems associated with elephant industries, we surveyed 133 mahouts in the Lao PDR. We found that mahoutship is an aging industry with a vanishing family association. Contrasts between logging and tourism mahouts were apparent when observing family tradition, finances, and industry-related experiences. Logging mahouts rely on tourism to provide them with future employment; however, tourism cannot currently employ elephants on a scale similar to that of logging operations. The need for the traditional mahout and a large population of captive elephants may have reached its finality in Laos.
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