Walking with Giants
Walking with Giants Text by XXXXXXXXXX translated into XXXXX by XXXX with Emglish language editorial assistance from XXXXX Pictures by Patrice Terraz / Agence Signature © 2015, Albert Leeflang © 2015 Mike Larder © 2008 and xxx © 2015. Publication coordination and page layout by XXXXXXX
For XXXXXXX
Old map of French Indochina describing the wide distribution of elephants and other now endangered species.
En décembre 2015, le Centre de Conserva-
le « Pays du Million d’Eléphants » par le roi
tifiques, des écologistes et des médias ont
tion des Eléphants du Laos (www.elephant-
Fa Ngum, qui aimait prêter à la nation Lao
été invités à marcher avec les éléphants, à
conservationcenter.com) a organisé une car-
des traits de l’éléphant : la force, la ténacité
leur rythme, pour s’imprégner de leur grâce,
avane d’éléphants qui a parcourru 500 km à
et l’intelligence. Il fait intimement partie de
de leur quiétude, de leur paix. La Caravane
travers les provinces de Sayaboury et Luang
la culture lao, en particulier pour l’ethnie Tai
des Eléphants a été pensée comme un cri du
Prabang, et s’ est achevée en une grande
Lue qui, depuis des siècles, les a apprivoisés
cœur. Elle entend promouvoir une culture
procession de 20 éléphants le 9 décembre à
et cohabite avec eux. Cependant, le respect
de respect de l’animal, inspirer les jeunes
Luang Prabang à l’occasion des célébrations
traditionnellement porté à l’éléphant dans la
générations et replacer la protection de
du 20e anniversaire du classement de la ville
culture lao se dissipe face aux enjeux de la
l’éléphant au centre de l’attention du public.
au patrimoine mondial de l’UNESCO. Alors
déforestation et du braconnage.
que grand public et officiels sont réunis pour
Il est déjà tard pour agir. Les chances que
saluer la conservation du patrimoine archi-
cette merveilleuse créature survive au-delà
tectural de la ville, la caravane des éléphants
des 50 prochaines années sont de plus en
s’invite à la fête pour tenter d’attirer l’atten-
plus ténues et nous pourrions bientôt per-
tion sur la nécessité de protéger également
dre l’un des plus grands trésors d’intelli-
le patrimoine naturel du Laos. La biodiversité,
gence, de perspicacité, d’affection
et l’éléphant en particulier y est gravement
et de sociabilité du monde
menacée. Dès 1986, l’Union Internationale
animal.
pour la Conservation de la Nature (UICN) a
n’est pas un événement
inscrit l’éléphant d’Asie à la liste des espèces
touristique. Personne n’a
en voie de disparition. Au Laos, où il ne reste
monté les éléphants, à
à l’heure actuelle qu’environ 900 spécimens,
l’exception
l’éléphant est sous la menace d’une extinc-
leurs cornacs. En
tion imminente. L’éléphant est pourtant l’an-
revanche, les com-
imal-emblème du Laos, autrefois surnommé
munautés locales, des scien-
Cette
caravane
de
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Apparently we had reached a great height in the atmosphere, for the sky was a dead black, and the stars had ceased to twinkle.
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Apparently we had reached a great height in the atmosphere, for the sky was a dead black, and the stars had ceased to twinkle.
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Apparently we had reached a great height in the atmosphere, for the sky was a dead black, and the stars had ceased to twinkle.
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Apparently we had reached a great height in the atmosphere, for the sky was a dead black, and the stars had ceased to twinkle.
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Apparently we had reached a great height in the atmosphere, for the sky was a dead black, and the stars had ceased to twinkle.
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Apparently we had reached a great height in the atmosphere, for the sky was a dead black, and the stars had ceased to twinkle.
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Apparently we had reached a great height in the atmosphere, for the sky was a dead black, and the stars had ceased to twinkle.
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Apparently we had reached a great height in the atmosphere, for the sky was a dead black, and the stars had ceased to twinkle.
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Apparently we had reached a great height in the atmosphere, for the sky was a dead black, and the stars had ceased to twinkle.
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Apparently we had reached a great height in the atmosphere, for the sky was a dead black, and the stars had ceased to twinkle.
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Apparently we had reached a great height in the atmosphere, for the sky was a dead black, and the stars had ceased to twinkle.
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Apparently we had reached a great height in the atmosphere, for the sky was a dead black, and the stars had ceased to twinkle.
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Apparently we had reached a great height in the atmosphere, for the sky was a dead black, and the stars had ceased to twinkle.
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Apparently we had reached a great height in the atmosphere, for the sky was a dead black, and the stars had ceased to twinkle.
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Apparently we had reached a great height in the atmosphere, for the sky was a dead black, and the stars had ceased to twinkle.
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Somphone Mahout
XXX Mahout
Noi In Mahout
Noy Vang Mahout
Vixay Mahout
XXX Mahout
Som Mahout
XXX Mahout
XXX Mahout
XXX Mahout
XXX Mahout
XXX Mahout
XXX Mahout
Hom Mahout
XXX Mahout
XXX Mahout
XXX Mahout
XXX Mahout
XXX Mahout
XXX Mahout
XXX Mahout
Win Mahout
XXX Mahout
XXX Mahout
Mone Cook
XXX Cook
XXX Cook
XXX Cook
XXX Cook
XXX Cook
XXX Truck Driver
XXX Truck Driver
Kitsana Comedian
Xang Comedian
Armel Comedian
Leut Comedian
Didier Comedian
Nga Comedian
Jo Musician
Rai Musician
Karen Comedian
Guillaume Theatre Show Director
Isabelle Technician
Lydie Technician
Marion Logistics & Organisation
Sebastien logistics & Organisation
Sack Logistics & Organisation
Anabel Elephant Welfare
Mirabelle Educator
Sinxay Educator
He Educator
XXX Policeman
Nicolas illustrator
Caroline Designer
Aliette Designer
XXX policeman
Franck Film Director
Pierre-Olivier Cameraman
Patrice Photographer
Albert Photographer
Phonemany Doctor
XXX Infirmier XXX
XXX Veterinarian
XXXX Veterinarian
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Apparently we had reached a great height in the atmosphere, for the sky was a dead black, and the stars had ceased to twinkle.
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Apparently we had reached a great height in the atmosphere, for the sky was a dead black, and the stars had ceased to twinkle.
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Apparently we had reached a great height in the atmosphere, for the sky was a dead black, and the stars had ceased to twinkle.
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Apparently we had reached a great height in the atmosphere, for the sky was a dead black, and the stars had ceased to twinkle.
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Apparently we had reached a great height in the atmosphere, for the sky was a dead black, and the stars had ceased to twinkle.
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Apparently we had reached a great height in the atmosphere, for the sky was a dead black, and the stars had ceased to twinkle.
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Apparently we had reached a great height in the atmosphere, for the sky was a dead black, and the stars had ceased to twinkle.
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Apparently we had reached a great height in the atmosphere, for the sky was a dead black, and the stars had ceased to twinkle.
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An Urgent Call for Elephant Conservation and Elephant-Keeping Culture Preservation in Lao P.D.R and other elephant range countries Luang Prabang – December 9th, 2015 We, mahouts and elephants owners of Lao P.D.R, having participated in the Elephant Caravan, from Paklay district, Xayaboury Province to Luang Prabang city from October 27th, 2015 until today, would like to take the opportunity of the auspicious Elephant Baci ceremony organized today in Luang Prabang to hand this message over to you. During this unique journey, every day, in each of the 27 towns and villages we have had the chance to visit, we could witness the strong attachment of local people for our elephants, and a huge sympathy from villagers in respect to our knowledge and age long relationship with this animal. This makes us believe that the Elephant Caravan should not only remain an awareness raising action about the plight of elephants in this country, as well as an intercultural experience for us. Throughout the years, we have seen our lifestyle, culture and bonds with elephants fade away, little by little, to the point where we believe it will soon disappear forever. The Caravan made us realize that we are not alone and that the Lao People cares for its elephants. We would therefore like to go one step further. Though very encouraging and inspiring, the civil society alone appears to be powerless to help us and to undertake urgent actions to preserve our culture on a national level. Conservationists, NGOS and the private sector undertake important actions but so far 238
our condition and the wellbeing of our elephants have changed little. This is the reason why we would like to take the opportunity of the closing ceremony of the Elephant Caravan in Luang Prabang, to seek support and help from legal authorities and international representatives to consider the urgent need for saving our ancestral knowledge. As mahouts, and with much humility, we believe that it is time to consider our potential role in the conservation of elephants and their habitat. There is an obvious linkage between wild and domesticated elephants. The extinction of elephant as a species is not only a natural disaster for the country. It is, above all, a cultural one. Today, a huge part of our cultural and natural heritage is facing imminent extinction, while there is so much to do to conserve and preserve it. Shall we remind that in Lao PDR, once named ‘Lane Xang’, the Land of a Million Elephants, there are currently less than 900 elephants left in our country. This call is not only addressed to representatives of the Lao government, it is also a broader call for members of all elephant range countries across Asia, and the international community present here to join forces and to undertake actions to help us saving our elephant-keeping culture for the benefit of all. Hoping for a positive answer, THE ELEPHANT CARAVAN MAHOUTS
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BEHIND THE SCENE
project / elephant concervation centre / xayabouri, laos one hundred story / photograph submission
Courtesy Agnès Rosse © 2002
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ÉÓÂÎ 978+9932+01+035+6 Published by Elephant Conservation Center Nam Tien Lake, Sayaboury, Lao PDR Printed in Laos by Lao Uniprint Press Co. Ltd. 1st edition. December 2016.
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CREDITS