Elephants, otters return to Cardamom Tented Camp’s conservation area in Cambodia

Cardamom Tented Camp in Cambodia has witnessed the return of a small herd of elephants to its conservation area, after an absence of five years. A large group of smooth-coated otters are back too.

Forest rangers discovered and photographed elephant footprints and droppings inside the 18,000-hectare forest concession, which the camp protects, with help from Wildlife Alliance and the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation (GTAEF).

“From the size of the dung and the number of footprints, it seems that this is a herd of nine elephants comprising four adult females, their calves and one juvenile,” said John Roberts of GTAEF, which has been fully funding the ranger effort since COVID shut down tourism across the globe. “They have also been camera trapped and seen in the area south of our concession.”

In neighbouring areas outside the camp’s protected zone there are rubber plantations and the construction of a deep sea water port, hotel and airport.

“There is human traffic and a non-ideal environment all around us,” said Roberts. “But whether the elephants are on a long migration or looking for a new home we are pleased to welcome them to our forests and grasslands. It’s an environment they prefer. It comes with zero harassment.” … continue reading the "GT" Partner message https://goodtourismblog.com/2021/12/elephants-otters-return-to-cardamom-tented-camps-conservation-area-in-cambodia/