Lao PDR Strengthens Captive Elephant Management: 50 Elephants Successfully Registered and Re-Registered with ISO Microchips in Compliance with CITES and National Registration Guidelines.

The Government of the Lao People Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) has achieved a significant milestone in wildlife conservation through the successful registration and microchipping of 50 captive elephants during the 2026 Sayaboury Elephant Festival. The activity also included the re-registration of previously recorded elephants and the installation of new ISO-compliant microchips, in accordance with the national Guidelines on Registration for Domesticated Live Elephants in Lao PDR.

This achievement represents an important step toward strengthening national traceability systems and fulfilling obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) to combat illegal wildlife trade and ensure proper management of captive elephant populations.

The initiative was led by the Department of Forestry, acting as the CITES Management Authority of Lao PDR, in close collaboration with the Department of Livestock and Fisheries and the Sayaboury Provincial Agriculture and Environment Office. The operation also benefited from technical expertise, equipment, and veterinary support provided by the Save Elephant Foundation Thailand.

The operation took place from 10–13 February 2026 and was implemented as part of the national CITES Compliance Action Plan and in response to recommendations adopted during the 79th Meeting of the CITES Standing Committee (SC79).

During the operation, the joint technical team carried out veterinary health assessments and implanted ISO-standard microchips in each elephant. In cases where elephants had previously been registered, the process included verification and re-registration with newly installed ISO-compliant microchips to ensure full alignment with updated national regulations on elephant identification and monitoring.

All data collected, including identification information, ownership records, and biometric details, were entered into the National Elephant Information Management System (NEIMS). This centralized digital database enables the Department of Forestry to maintain a permanent and tamper-proof identification system, improving transparency and ensuring full traceability of domesticated elephants throughout the country.

Following successful implementation in Sayaboury Province, the Government of Lao PDR plans to expand the registration, re-registration, and ISO microchipping campaign nationwide, covering all domesticated elephants. The NEIMS platform is expected to become fully operational by 30 June 2026.

This initiative represents an important step in strengthening sustainable management of elephants in Lao PDR and aligns national conservation practices with international standards under CITES.