In September 2025, I had the privilege of travelling to Dong Nai, Vietnam as part of the Asian Elephant Specialist Group (AsESG) delegation under the IUCN. It was an unforgettable experience, not only because of the rich exchange of knowledge, but also because I was publicly honoured as a member of the AsESG by the Government of Vietnam for my contributions to elephant conservation over the past decades. This recognition was deeply meaningful and motivates me to continue working for the protection of Asian elephants.
Elephant Conservation Week 2025, held from September 17th to 21st, brought together nearly 130 experts from 13 Asian elephant range countries. The week featured a series of powerful and engaging activities including an elephant photography exhibition, thematic conservation discussions, a “Run for Dong Nai Elephants” awareness event, and field monitoring of wild elephants and human–elephant conflict zones in Nam Cat Tien National Park. These activities highlighted both the challenges and the innovative solutions being developed across the region.
The 12th meeting of the Asian Elephant Specialist Group officially opened on September 17th, providing an important platform for experts to discuss current threats, collaborative research, habitat protection, and strategies to reduce human–elephant conflict. Being part of these discussions and sharing Sri Lanka’s experience was both inspiring and rewarding.
I am grateful for the warm hospitality of the Vietnamese government and local conservation teams. This event strengthened global solidarity for elephant conservation and reminded me once again that protecting these magnificent animals requires collective effort, compassion, and long-term commitment.
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