Assess the current status of elephant population, population structure, habitat and food source for Elephants. Provide scientific basis to determine the ability and propose solutions to conserve in situ or relocate the elephant herd from Bac Tra My district to the Elephant Species and Habitat Conservation Area (BTLSC) in Quang Nam province, conserving the forest elephant population in Quang Nam province and minimizing the impact of conflicts between forest elephants and local communities.

The Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources has cooperatedwith the Forest Protection Department - Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Quang Nam province to survey, research and evaluate the current status of elephants in Bac Tra My and Hiep Duc districts. Quang Nam province with the following results:
The elephant herd in Bac Tra My and Hiep Duc areas currently records 2 individuals in which 1 adult female is about 40-45 years old and one is semi-adult about 20-25 years old. Their area of activity is in the range of about 3000 ha. Although the elephant's activity area has been strongly affected and fragmented, it has temporarily ensured the ability to
provide food for the elephant herd. Due to the wide range of elephant activity and to ensure sufficient food for the elephants in the dry season, it is possible to consider expanding the elephant's habitat to cover an area of about 5000 ha.
The herd structure and sex ratio of the elephant herds in Bac Tra My and Hiep Duc areas are lower than in other areas in Asia and there are no males, so the possibility of herd development is not feasible.
Preliminary assessment shows that Quang Nam Elephant Nature Reserve in Nong Son district is an appropriate place to relocate and import elephants from Bac Tra My and Hiep Duc due to its suitable area, habitat, and relatively reasonable herd structure. for breeding stock. However, a more detailed assessment and specific plan for the relocation, integration and development of the elephant herd is needed.
Organized a scientific workshop to collect opinions of managers and scientists on in situ conservation and relocation of elephants in Bac Tra My district, Hiep Duc province, Quang Nam province.
The workshop agreed to approve the Report on the scientific basis and take steps to conserve in situ and move the elephant herds in Bac Tra My and Hiep Duc districts to the Elephant Nature Reserve in Quang Nam province (Nong Son district). ).
The project has published 02 articles in professional and scientific journals; 01 article published in an international journal (A thank you for the project's financial support, demonstrating the interdisciplinary nature of field investigations and surveys) and 06 articles in the central propaganda newspapers and local.

Research results will be used by management agencies, policy-making agencies, and strategies from central to local levels in planning and planning for conservation of wild elephants. Support the managers of the Sectoral Management Agencies of Quang Nam Province to come up with master plans linking nature conservation with socio-economic development.
The research results will be the basis for the development of the Implementation Plan of the Master Plan for Conservation of Vietnam Elephants (Decision No. 413/QD-TTg, dated March 31, 2022 of the Government on adjustment. Vietnam Elephant Conservation master project, period 2013-2020). Scientific basis for in situ conservation and displacement conservation to preserve and develop the existing elephant herd in Quang Nam province.

People's Committee of Quang Nam province; Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Quang Nam province; Quang Nam Provincial Forest Protection Department;

The PI requests Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology to establish a steering committee to conduct a final evaluation of the project’s completion.