For generations, Laos was known as the Land of a Million Elephants; however, as of 2016, there are fewer than 600 elephants left in the wild.If the Laotian elephants become extinct, not only does it mean a loss of one of the largest mammals on earth but also the loss for Laotian history and culture. The Chinese market, deforestation, and tourism all play a role in the imminent extinction of elephants in Laos.