BUON MA THUOAT, Vietnam — Mahout Y Hoi Bya sits atop his elephant, whacking him with a large stick to urge him toward the finish line at the Buon Don race in Vietnam's central highlands. Normally held every two years, the Buon Don elephant festival — a major tourist event — features football matches, swimming sessions, a parade and a buffet for the animals, topped off with a highly anticipated race on the event's final two days. It appears to have worked: he rode his elephant Kham Sinh to victory, beating out 10 others for the top prize of $130. Animals Asia last year launched Vietnam's first ethical elephant tours, offering guests a chance to see the animals which the NGO rescued roaming in the national park. More than 80 elephants in Vietnam are still kept in captivity, usually used for elephant rides — backbreaking work that has rendered most infertile today.

Source: Philippine Star March 17, 2019 07:45 UTC