Wild Elephants Spotted in eastern Mondulkiri

Wild Elephants Spotted in eastern Mondulkiri

Wild Elephant Herd Spotted in Wildlife Sanctuary in eastern Mondulkiri

Wildlife trafficking is the fourth largest black market in the world, with the illegal trade in exotic endangered species, their meat and by-products estimated to have an annual value of $20 billion.  This includes wild elephants.  According to USAID, at the current rates of illicit wildlife trade, up to 40 percent of Asian wildlife could be lost in the next century.

Wild Elephants

The major threats to the wild elephants in Cambodia are poaching and the loss of their habitat. Over a 6 month period 90 high resolution camera traps were set up by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and Winrock International in Mondulkiri to monitor trends in wild elephant populations in the provinces eastern plains.  There could be less than 500 wild elephants left in Cambodia.

Chhith Sam Ath, country director of WWF-Cambodia, said the threat of extinction facing the country’s elephant population is imminent.

The photo below shows an endangered elephant herd seen traveling with calves through the Tonle Srepok Wildlife Sanctuary in Mondulkiri province earlier in June.  This Sanctuary was formerly known as Mondulkiri Protected Forest, located on the province’s eastern plains.

With elephant populations declining by at least 50 percent over the last three generations, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list, the new sightings at Tonle Srepok Wildlife Sanctuary offer a glimpse of hope for the future.

Did you enjoy reading this blog post? Please help us and share it!

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest
Vietnam to Cambodia

Vietnam to Cambodia

🚀 Planning a Trip from Vietnam to Cambodia? Here’s Everything You Need to Know! Whether you’re looking for the cheapest, fastest, or most scenic way

Thailand to Cambodia

Thailand to Cambodia

Thailand to Cambodia: The Ultimate 2024 Travel Guide (Best Routes, Visas & Avoiding Scams!) 🚀 Planning a Trip from Thailand to Cambodia? Here’s Everything You

Why we should visit Mondulkiri

Why we should visit Mondulkiri

Mondulkiri is a destination that should be on the bucket list of anyone who loves nature, adventure and cultural immersion.  Here are a few reasons

Virak Buntham Night Bus

Virak Buntham Night Bus

The Virak Buntham night bus travels from Phnom Penh to Mondulkiri twice a day. Departure times are 7.45pm and 11pm.   It also travels in the

Bunong Language

Bunong Language

The Bunong language, spoken by the Bunong people in Cambodia and Vietnam, is a unique and culturally rich linguistic gem with a deep historical heritage.