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      1. Priority Species
        1. Elephants
          1. Asian elephants
            1. Population & Distribution

Asian elephant in Cambodia

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AREAS: Asian Rhino and Elephant Action Strategy

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IUCN Red List: Endangered CITES Appendix I

The Asian elephant has been domesticated for centuries by Khmer people to serve in transportation and heavy labour works such as moving loads of timber from the forest. Evidence of the relationship between men and elephants can still be seen on the wall murals of many of the ancient temples scattered throughout Cambodia.
Elephants are used by the WWF project teams. These elephants are treated as colleagues and are even on the staff register, receiving their own monthly wage packet.
Formerly, elephants were widespread and in large numbers throughout most part of Cambodia. Now their range is limited to only a few remaining forests in the northern and north-eastern part of the country. The Cardamom Mountains are also considered to be one of the last refuges for elephants in wild.

In Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary in Mondolkiri province, elephants still roam the forests in relatively large groups, from 7 to 20. Nevertheless, the hunting of elephants has occurred widely in this remote province. They are killed for their ivory, bone and meat.

Local hunters in the area even claim that 1kg of elephant ivory can be sold to traders for USD400.

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