History: Mae Lay Kham was born in 1975 and lived a life marked by hardship before her rescue and arrival at the Elephant Conservation Center in 2018. As one of the 13 elephants saved from illegal trade, she was moments away from being flown out of Laos when the Lao government stepped in, marking a historical first. The Prime Minister’s office issued an order to halt the sale, deeming it illegal under Lao law, and redirected these elephants to the ECC.
Before her rescue, Mae Lay Kham endured years of training to perform circus tricks, a practice that left lasting impacts on her. The ECC welcomed her and her companions as part of a special conservation initiative, recognizing that the Center’s environment would provide the best conditions for her rehabilitation and welfare.
With her strikingly long legs and a personality that leans toward nervousness around other elephants, Mae Lay Kham has gradually adjusted to her new life. Known for her preference to spend much of her day walking and foraging, she now enjoys a protected and enriching environment. Her two calves remain an important part of her story, and with the support of ECC’s conservation and breeding programs, she plays a significant role in the effort to restore the dwindling elephant population in Laos. She is now living under our care in Thongmixay.
