Where to see elephants in Cambodia?
Elephants in Cambodia are becoming increasingly rare. To observe them, it’s important to visit an elephant sanctuary or a reputable community project. Not sure which one to choose? Follow us to Mondulkiri province! We’ll tell you everything about the refuges and why elephant rides should be avoided.
Where to see elephants in Cambodia?
Mondulkiri, located in the northeast of Cambodia, is home to most of the country’s elephants. In the past, many elephants lived here, used by the Bunong community in agricultural and forestry activities. Over the decades, as elephants became less useful, they gradually disappeared from the area. However, this region still has the highest concentration of elephants, particularly around the city of Sen Monorom.
How many elephants are there in Cambodia?
The elephant holds significant cultural importance in Khmer (Cambodian) culture. However, as of 2023, only about 400 elephants remain in the wild in Cambodia. Therefore, selecting a suitable sanctuary or refuge is crucial if you want to see elephants during your visit.
What sanctuaries can you visit in Mondulkiri?
Elephant Valley Project (EVP)
The Elephant Valley Project (EVP), established in 2006, is Cambodia's first sanctuary. It has carried out numerous actions and contributed to changing attitudes toward elephant exploitation. On its 1,500 hectares, the sanctuary houses 11 elephants as of 2023. EVP offers jungle excursions to observe elephant herds, ensuring that guests do not touch or feed the animals, allowing them to act naturally.
Mondulkiri Project
The Mondulkiri Project is an NGO registered in Cambodia, and according to its founder, it “organizes elephant rides and jungle treks.” The excursions involve feeding and bathing the elephants or walking with them in nature. The funds raised go toward protecting forest areas for the elephants and improving local communities (through job creation, medical purchases, etc.).
Mondulkiri Eco Tour
As Mondulkiri attracts more tourists, the Mondulkiri Eco Tour was created to stimulate the local economy by generating jobs for the indigenous Bunong community. The project focuses on forest conservation, observing elephants in their natural habitat, and allows feeding and bathing the elephants.
Why you shouldn’t ride elephants?
While amusing and unusual, riding elephants is a local attraction that should be avoided! These mammals are wild animals and are not meant to carry dozens of people and hundreds of kilos daily. Some mahouts make the elephants work tirelessly (even abusing them for cooperation) to entertain tourists and earn money. Even if travelers don’t directly partake in this abuse, they contribute to it. This is why elephant rides should be avoided!
What’s the difference between a sanctuary and a community elephant project?
Sanctuaries and community projects both aim to protect and improve the welfare of elephants, but there are a few key differences:
1. Management of refuges
Sanctuaries, approved by the state, are run by NGOs, while community projects are mostly private initiatives, where animals belong to individuals or villagers.
2. Actions
Sanctuaries tend to focus on rehabilitating elephants, often rescued from abuse or exploitation, and offer very respectful excursions. Community projects focus on both elephant protection and local economic needs, providing more interactive activities like walking with or bathing elephants.
3. Cost
Community projects are generally less expensive than sanctuary visits, making them more accessible if you're on a budget. A day at a community project costs about 40 €/person, compared to 95 € at a sanctuary.
Key takeaways
The most natural way to observe elephants is by choosing an excursion with minimal interaction (though this tends to be the more expensive option). Structures dedicated to elephant protection that offer some interaction are still worthwhile and are far from the unscrupulous mahouts offering rides at every tourist attraction.
Aydrey Denjean