Elephants are present in Cambodia, though their population is small and faces significant threats. Cambodia is home to the Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus), a species deeply woven into the nation’s cultural and historical fabric. The country maintains a dual population: a small, critically threatened wild population and a managed, captive group. Conservation efforts focus on protecting the remaining wild herds and transitioning the use of domestic elephants toward more ethical care and tourism.
The Asian Elephant in Cambodia: A Dual Population
The Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus) is the only elephant species found in Cambodia and is classified as Endangered globally. Current estimates suggest the total wild population ranges between 400 and 600 individuals. This small figure reflects decades of habitat loss and civil conflict, representing a fraction of the historical population size.
Cambodia also maintains a small, managed population of domestic elephants whose numbers are continually dwindling. These captive elephants were historically used for labor and tourism, though their use is rapidly changing. The species’ survival relies on protecting the remaining wild herds and maintaining the genetic health of these isolated groups.
Key Habitats for Wild Herds
The majority of Cambodia’s wild elephants are concentrated in two distinct geographical strongholds within the protected area system. The Cardamom Mountains Rainforest in the southwest holds approximately half of the nation’s remaining wild elephants. This vast, continuous rainforest provides the necessary space for social structure and foraging, making it a globally significant area for regional recovery.
The second major population resides in the Eastern Plains Landscape, located in the Mondulkiri province, with an estimated 200 to 300 individuals. This area consists of dry deciduous forests and grasslands. A smaller, genetically distinct group of approximately 51 elephants also inhabits the northern plains, specifically the Prey Lang, Preah Roka, and Chhaeb Wildlife Sanctuaries.
The fragmented nature of these habitats results in little connectivity between the groups. The lack of corridors prevents the exchange of genetic material between the Cardamom and Eastern Plains populations. Conservationists are working to identify and protect these movement routes to ensure the genetic health and long-term viability of the entire wild population.
The History and Future of Captive Elephants
For centuries, elephants played a central role in Cambodian society, dating back to the Angkor period where they were used extensively in construction, agriculture, and military campaigns. More recently, domestic elephants were primarily used in the logging industry and for general transportation. As mechanization increased, many elephants transitioned into the growing tourism sector, often enduring long hours carrying tourists or performing in shows.
A significant shift is now occurring toward ethical management, driven by conservation organizations and public awareness. Projects like the Elephant Valley Project provide sanctuaries for retired elephants, offering them a large natural forest environment. This model focuses on observation-only tourism, allowing the animals to forage and socialize naturally, away from the stress of carrying loads. These sanctuaries often partner with Indigenous communities, such as the Bunong people, who have a long cultural history of working with the animals. This new focus ensures the elephants live in a more humane setting while providing a sustainable livelihood for their traditional caretakers.
Protecting Cambodia’s Remaining Giants
The survival of the wild population is threatened by three primary factors: habitat loss, poaching, and human-elephant conflict (HEC). Extensive deforestation for agriculture, mining, and infrastructure development continues to shrink and isolate forest patches. The illegal use of snares by poachers poses a severe risk to the elephants, especially to calves who can suffer fatal injuries.
Active conservation strategies are deployed using technology and community engagement. Anti-poaching patrols remove snares and enforce protected area boundaries. To address HEC, which occurs when elephants raid crops, community programs provide farmers with training for non-lethal mitigation. A successful strategy involves planting crops that elephants naturally dislike, such as chili peppers, around fields to deter them. Scientists also use non-invasive methods like fecal DNA analysis to monitor population size, genetic health, and movement patterns.