The S’Tieng ethnic group believes that elephants have a special status as "animals of Heaven". According to their belief, anyone who raises elephants, will win the blessings of the gods. Experienced elephant keepers claim that domesticated elephants are fiercely loyal to their keepers. ‘One day, I rode my elephant to the rice-field. I suddenly caught cold, fell into the ground and fainted," Dieu Tre, a S’Tieng elephant keeper, recounts. "The elephant turned back and knelt down next to me and waited for me until I regained consciousness." On the other hand, these friendly giants should not be taken for granted. The S’Tieng believed that elephants hate promiscuous behaviour. If they know that their owner is acting in this way, they can become angry and even be dangerous.

Dieu Tre’s family has developed a new tradition of rearing elephants in the last 60 years. During the French resistance, Dieu Khang, the grandfather of Dieu Tre, had a herd of six elephants. These elephants helped soldiers transport food and went to the fields with villagers. After the end of war, S’Tieng people in Dak Lak province drifted to many places. The family of Dieu Tre moved to Son Lang Hamlet in Binh Phuoc province. During the peak of the coffee and pepper industry, Dieu Tre and his brother, Dieu Cuoc, managed to save up VND300 million. With this money, the brothers decided to raise elephants, returning to the profession pursued by their grandfather. In 1996, they spent two months in Don village selecting five good elephants.

"Don village has a lot of elephants, but it’s not easy to buy good ones," Dieu Tre said, "Only elephants with big eyes and without deformity bring prosperity to their owners."

Despite choosing very carefully, the brothers did not have an easy time of it with their new "pets". The elephants took a long time to become accustomed to their new home, and this made the hard work of raising the elephants even harder. In addition to feeding them, Dieu Tre and Dieu Cuoc washed them and took care of all their needs. The brothers and their family quickly came to regard the elephants as family members. On their part, the elephants gradually adapted themselves to the new environment, and showed strong warm feelings for their owners. In addition, they became very useful in easing the work of the brothers in their farming work. In the difficult mountainous terrain of Bu Dang District, elephants are the most convenient means of transportation. It takes elephants only one day to transport agricultural products from faraway fields to the village, compared to several days without the aid of these "natural trucks".

At present, many S’Tieng people would like to raise elephants, but few of them can afford the initial costs. A domesticated elephant costs VND40-50 million, a huge amount for villagers whose income is barely enough to meet the simplest needs of the family. Therefore, owning an elephant seems like a dream.

Despite these difficulties, two of the neighbours of Dieu Tre family in the village, Dieu Mruc and Dieu Bi, also went to Don village and bought elephants. Gradually, this movement spread to neighbouring villages. At present, Bu Dang district has more than ten families rearing elephants.

In recent years, the role of elephants in contributing to the welfare of the family has increased. Tourism is growing in the area. The eco-tourism area of Bu Lach in Thon Son Commune has just opened to the public, and its popularity is increasing. A number of Vietnamese and foreign tourists come here to enjoy the beautiful landscape, relax and ride elephants. For VND200,000, elephants of S’Tieng people will carry tourists around the park.

Smiling Dieu Tre said, "Instead of going to the fields, my elephants and I can earn a lot of money for my family by carrying visitors. It is lot easier for all of us." 

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