Dor Khoun Mueang

Dor Khoun Meuang with Mae Mah

Monitored closely by the dedicated elephant trackers from the Elephant Conservation Center (ECC), he and the three females he was released with remain healthy, social, and strong. The group spends most of their time together, showing no signs of stress or discomfort.

As a growing bull, Dor Khoun Mueang has started to explore the forest independently, spending more of his time on his own. This behavior, known as roving, is typical of male elephants aged 10–15 years, aligning perfectly with Dor Khoun Mueang’s current stage of development. During this phase, male elephants naturally begin to establish independence from their natal herd, familiarise themselves with broader territories, and interact with other elephants.

This is an exciting milestone, as Dor Khoun Mueang is displaying natural behaviors consistent with those of wild-born males at this age. We are particularly thrilled by the prospect of observing whether he might eventually form bachelor groups with other young males—ideally, wild ones—in the future.

Unfortunately, the team has faced some challenges with the GPS collars, which are experiencing signal issues. While this prevents real-time tracking of Dor Khoun Mueang’s movements, the ECC team is actively working with the tracking company to resolve the problem as quickly as possible.

The ECC team conducted two comprehensive health checks on the released elephants, one in July and one in September. These checks were led by Dr. Moul, Dr. Pavina, and Mr. Kan, who provided vital care, including:

• Annual Tetanus Vaccinations: To protect the elephants from infections.
• Deworming Treatments: Parasite analysis revealed a mix of parasites requiring targeted treatment. Thankfully, the overall parasite load was much lower than that of the elephants at the ECC, likely due to the larger roaming area of the released group.
• Body Condition Assessments: All elephants were found to have excellent body condition, indicating they are thriving in their natural environment.
• Full Blood Tests: No abnormalities were detected, confirming their overall health.

Dor Khoun Mueang remains a cornerstone of this rewilding project, especially as he transitions from a juvenile to an adult bull. Monitoring his behavior and movements is essential for his well-being and for maintaining harmony with the local villagers who share the forest.

Your support makes this vital work possible. Thanks to you, Dor Khoun Mueang and his companions are not just surviving—they are thriving. We are deeply grateful for your continued commitment to protecting these magnificent animals and ensuring their future in the wild.

Thank you for being a part of this incredible journey!