⚠️ Travel advisory & conservation crisis. Myanmar hosts the world's second-largest Asian elephant population after India — an estimated 2,000-5,000 wild individuals plus around 5,000 formerly domesticated animals from the timber industry. Key habitats include Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park, Htamanthi Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Bago Yoma range. However, travel to Myanmar is currently complicated and often inadvisable: since the 2021 military coup, most Western governments advise against non-essential travel due to armed conflict, internet shutdowns, and international sanctions. Moreover, the country experienced a brutal skin-poaching crisis from 2016, targeting elephants for traditional medicine — WWF-supported enforcement has since brought poaching under control in the Central Elephant Landscape, but the situation remains fragile. For most travellers, this is currently a destination to follow from afar rather than visit; check your government's latest travel advisories before considering any trip.
