Interspecific medicinal knowledge and Mahout-Elephant interactions in Thongmyxay district, Laos

The mahouts and the elephants of Thongmyxay district in Laos form an original hybrid community composed humans animal species represented by both wild domestic animals (elephants). We investigated particular interactions between mahouts' observation their own medicinal practices (human ethnoveterinary), which have been subject two previous publications. Based on this material, supplemented data collected status village interviews with four local healers, we discuss here a multispecies approach combining ethnographic ethological knowledge, modalities construction possible exchanges knowledge species.Elephants characterised double hybridity: one hand (with ontological circulations from state to other), human other. part humanity attributed is reflected self-agency that recognised ability heal themselves when they are suffering, leads therapeutic use dung Mahouts. include ethnoveterinary care plants see ill. uses make some these households more consistent observations elephant behaviours than it same items suggesting transfer mahouts.Since still periodically released come into contact counterparts, domestication space forms interface humans, forest, conversely possibility through receive.This precious for health well-being people threatened reduction forest cover sheltering resources used, relocation tourist centres. Thus, emerges need think conservation intangible heritage communities terms interspecific heritage, implying along preservation ecosystems host involved must be taken maintain access all populations animal) them.