Wild elephants, long regarded as a symbol of strength in nature and closely tied to the culture and belief of many communities in Vietnam, are now facing the real risk of extinction.

Nearly 130 conservationists from 13 Asian countries are gathering in the southern province of Dong Nai, home to Vietnam’s second largest wild elephant population, from September 17 - 21 for the 12th meeting of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Species Survival Commission (SSC) Asian Elephant Specialist Group (AsESG).