“Laos, once known as the Land of a Million Elephants, faces warnings from conservationists that it could lose its herds within 50 years if it does not move quickly to protect them with tourism eyed as a possible savior.” - Reuters

“In addition to sharing a border ? and the Mekong River ? with Laos, Yunnan province also shares China’s last herd of Asian elephants, which in recent years has dwindled to only 400 elephants. The herd lives in nature reserves near the border between China and Laos.” - GoKunming

“China and Laos reached an agreement to protect wild endangered Asian Elephants that live along the border between the two countries, during their annual meeting, held currently in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, Xinhua reported yesterday.” - china.org.cn

“I am going to become a mahout, to learn to drive an elephant. We trek along overgrown jungle paths towards the river where the elephants have slept. This is all part of the Anantara Resort and Spa?s 160-acre grounds. It?s located near the historic town of Chiang Saen in the heart of the hill country where Burma, Laos and Thailand converge and where the Mekong river forms a natural border.” - Times Online

“The elephant population of Laos is shrinking fast, a decline ecologists blame on habitat loss and a trend all too familiar to many humans — too much work, not enough play.” - globeandmail.com

“Laos held its first ever elephant parade Saturday to honour the beasts’ considerable contributions to the country.” - Earth Times

“Asian elephants are an endangered species in Xishuangbanna in Yunnan Province near borders with Laos and Myanmar.” - Shanghai Daily