Dak Lak, May 16 -- With the domesticated elephant herd in Dak Lak province down to just over 30 and facing decline due to ageing and low reproduction rates, conservation efforts in Buon Don have turned into both a technical challenge and a race to preserve a cherished cultural symbol of the Central Highlands.

Amid the scorching dry season in the dipterocarp forests of Buon Don, mahouts from the Dak Lak centre for elephant conservation, wildlife rescue, and forest protection management trek alongside elephants in search of water and food, while tending to their health.

Elephant caretakers

At a semi-wild care site managed by the centre, Jun and Gold are often seen closely interacting with their mahouts. Both were rescued in critical cond...