In collaboration with Flora & Fauna International, Cambodia’s Ministry of Environment has adopted the country’s first-ever action plan to save Asian elephants from extinction.
The ministry’s General Directorate of Administration for Nature Conservation and Protection (GDANCP) worked with stakeholders to create the plan, with technical support from FFI’s Cambodian Elephant Conservancy Group (CECG).
“We developed this action plan, the first for Asian elephants in Cambodia,” said director-general of the GDANCP, Meas Sophal, “that will guide effective protection of the country’s most iconic species.”
There are an estimated 400 to 600 Asian elephants left in Cambodia, with most living in the Cardamom Mountains and the eastern plains of the Mondulkiri province. The country’s wild elephant population has declined dramatically in recent decades due to deforestation, illegal hunting and conflicts between humans and elephants.
“Habitat degradation has resulted in fragmented population, negatively affecting the species’ long-term viability,” stated a joint press release by FFI and the ministry. “Elephant calves have also been found to be under pressure from snares, affecting the population recovery. These concerns have led to the development of this 2020-2029 action plan to address them.”
The new plan comes amid a recent capture of four elephants in a rural village, who were forced to feed on the locals’ crops.
“The current challenge for elephants is the spread of people who have entered the forests,” said the director of a Mondulkiri-based local elephant conservation organization Khun Diyon, “affecting the habitats of the elephants and also causing conflicts between humans and elephants.”
This plan aims to provide a more efficient protection of natural resources, including the rich, biodiverse habitats that are home to Asian elephants and numerous other endangered species, and to strengthen law enforcement against poaching, in hopes of giving these majestic pachyderms new hope at recovering and avoiding extinction.

please stop evil things people do to these poor animals. Please help
I hope all Animals get rescued and STOP being abused and exploited — it’s high time for this unconscionable immorality and depraved cruelty to STOP.
Animals are not for humans to abuse or murder.
Animals are not for humans to abuse or murder.
This is good news, thank you!
Thank you for stepping up to save these precious animals.
I do not know why you do not put in beehives to make honey and wouldn’t this scare off the elephant’s also?
That picture is an African elephant. Asian elephants donβt have tusks.
Hope it can stop all the other bad things that it does too
Thank God for Cambodia’s forward thinking plan to save elephants from extinction!! Congratulations Cambodia!!!
Can it also stop boiling, skinning cats and dogs alive? Treat all other animals with the same respect?
We want to thank the Cambodian Government to the fullest, for their decision , not to torment elephants ever again, maybe they can influence, India, China, and Africa to follow their marvelous decision , πβοΈπβοΈβ€οΈβοΈπβοΈπβοΈπβοΈπβοΈπβοΈπβοΈπβοΈπβοΈ
IT’S ABOUT TIME A COUNTRY STOOD UP TO DEFEND ELEPHANTS!
Brilliant news! Cambodia, we are all so grateful!
Si avec ce covid l Homme pouvait trouver un chemin paisible envers nos animaux ! c est le bonheur que nous recherchons
Ban murdering animals even in slaughterhouses
This is Music to my ears. Thank you so much Cambodia’s Ministry of Environment for standing up on behalf of these MOST AMAZING MAJESTIC ANIMALS. Implementing the new laws strictly by prohibiting the deforestation & hunting of these animals will save many lives. Make the future generations to see & experience these animals in Real, & not in as a skeletons kept in a Gallery….like the Dinosaurs…
WELL DONE CAMBODIA !!!
WELL DONE CAMBODIA !!!
WELL DONE CAMBODIA !!!
Thank you so much Cambodia!!! God bless you and your efforts to save elephants!!! Such great news!!!
This is excellent news for elephants!
Fantastic news, finally some positive news! Well done Flora & Fauna International and Cambodiaβs Ministry of Environment!
GREAT RESULTS AT LAST SOME ONE IS MAKING A STAND TO HELP ANIMALS PUNISH ALL ANIMAL ABUSERS JAIL EM FOR A START !!!!
GREAT RESULTS AT LAST SOME ONE IS MAKING A STAND TO HELP ANIMALS PUNISH ALL ANIMAL ABUSERS JAIL EM FOR A START !!!!
Thank you Cambodia. Your actions are commendable. I hope other countries will follow your lead.
Good news!
moche
Thank you Cambodia. With only 400 of them, better late than never.
Bravo Cambodia. ππ
Excellente nouvelle!
GOD BLESS THE PEOPLE ALL AROUND THE WORLD FOR DOING EVERYTHING TO PROTECT GOD’S CREATURES; WE ARE COMMANDED TO FOLLOW GOD’S INSTRUCTIONS; NO EXCEPTIONS
GOD BLESS THE PEOPLE ALL AROUND THE WORLD FOR DOING EVERYTHING TO PROTECT GOD’S CREATURES; WE ARE COMMANDED TO FOLLOW GOD’S INSTRUCTIONS; NO EXCEPTIONS
good start
Good job Cambodia! Hopefully the rest of the world will clue in on the importance of the elephants. Such amazing, majestic animals should be protected.
Well done Cambodia.