Nine-elephant herd sets a new record for Da Nang reserve

A herd of nine wild Asian elephants, including two young elephants, has been documented in Da Nang’s Elephant Species and Habitat Conservation Area, the largest group ever recorded there. Camera-trap images show the animals moving naturally through the forest and appearing healthy. The younger elephants offer encouraging evidence that the herd is reproducing.

The images were captured on April 9 in reserve forest near Quế Phước. They were released in September after staff retrieved the camera cards more than two months later and carefully reviewed data from hundreds of memory cards. Six elephants were recorded when the reserve was established in 2017.

The protected area covers nearly 19,000 hectares, including around 13,000 hectares under strict protection. Managers have limited human access to the elephants’ habitat, while using camera traps at feeding sites, water sources and movement corridors. The resulting images help conservation teams map where wildlife lives and adjust patrol routes.

During the first four months of the year, specialist teams conducted 520 patrols and removed illegal camps and wildlife traps. Camera monitoring has also recorded rare animals including douc langurs, muntjacs and crested argus birds, suggesting the same forest safeguards are benefiting a wider range of species.