Ensuring the survival of elephants in Laos: A matter of economics

(CNRS) Asian elephant populations in Laos, which are under a process of commodification, have dropped by half in the last 30 years. According to researchers from CNRS and Beauval Nature, the dynamics of elephant populations depend heavily on the socioeconomic practices of the country and elephant owners. The setting-up of a 'maternity leave' system to compensate owners for their losses of income during breeding period would contribute to the species' long-term survival.