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Culture without borders. / La culture sans frontières.

A French Woman Buys Abused Elephants in Laos to Provide Them a Sanctuary

In Laos, where only about 800 elephants remain, a French woman buys aging elephants from abusive owners to provide them a refuge amid deforestation and exploitation threatening the species.


Nadia El-Amrani
Nadia El-Amrani
October 6, 2026  ·  1 min read
B-Empire Magazine
Brief

In Laos, once nicknamed “The Land of a Million Elephants,” the elephant population has drastically declined, with only about 800 individuals estimated today. Deforestation and intensive exploitation have pushed these pachyderms to the brink of extinction.

Facing this critical situation, a French woman has committed to helping by purchasing aging elephants from their owners, who are often accused of mistreatment. Her initiative aims to offer a new home to these abused animals, thereby contributing to their protection.

This effort was reported by colleagues at France 2, with contributions from France 24.

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