Recently, I had the opportunity to travel through Vietnam, meeting with conservationists, villagers, and local leaders who are fighting an uphill battle to save one of the country's most beloved—and most threatened—symbols: the Asian elephant. What I saw and heard left me both inspired and deeply concerned. If we do not act soon, the elephants of Vietnam could vanish from the wild within a generation.

Human-elephant conflict (HEC) is a pressing issue that threatens the survival of elephants and disrupts the livelihoods of communities living near them. It is a complex problem with no easy solutions, but it is one that we must address if we want to ensure the future of these magnificent animals.

Like at the beginning of every new year, unless you are Nostradamus, what lies ahead is unknown. 2021 will undoubtedly be filled with unknowns. But here at The Elephant Project, we believe that this New Year brings with it hope that has not been seen since World Wars consumed our planet – hope that the destruction and devastation will end, and that renewal and rebuilding will follow. Hope that the worst is behind us.