Story perspectives

Frenchwoman Buys Abused Elephants, Resettles Them in Laos

By Drooid · Oct 6, 2026, 3:07 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

A Frenchwoman is purchasing ageing elephants from abusive owners to provide them new homes in Laos.
Only an estimated 800 elephants remain in Laos, far fewer than its former nickname “Land of a Million Elephants”.
Deforestation and exploitation are driving Laos’s elephant population toward extinction.
France 2 colleagues reported the rescue effort with FRANCE 24’s Andrew Hilliar.

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Story summary

A Frenchwoman is purchasing ageing elephants from abusive owners to provide them new homes in Laos.
Only an estimated 800 elephants remain in Laos, far fewer than its former nickname “Land of a Million Elephants”.
Deforestation and exploitation are driving Laos’s elephant population toward extinction.
France 2 colleagues reported the rescue effort with FRANCE 24’s Andrew Hilliar.