“All good things are wild and free.”
-Henry David Thoreau
Are you truly backpacking Asia if you don’t experience a magical play date with Asian elephants? With a plethora of companies available, that should be a breeze right? Well. Easier said then done! Doing your research is extremely important when deciding where to experience your elephant interaction. While many companies will throw around the words ‘rescue’ and ‘sanctuary’ unfortunately, it’s not always true. While the Asian culture has spent the last decade making a living out of elephant tourism, their mentality has placed more of an emphasis on monetary value rather than consideration for the elephants.
Luckily we as a human race are coming together stronger than ever to differentiate right from wrong. The movement against elephant rides and abuse, forcing these sweet creatures to do tricks and pose for photos is decreasing. With tourists choosing responsible tourism there has been a drop in demand to utilize companies like this. This has generated numerous ethical companies to step forward and create a gentle, nurturing life for these elephants all while setting an example to outdated elephant owners to follow suit.
We were fortunate enough to find the Mondulkiri Project- a wonderful, ethical elephant sanctuary in eastern Cambodia.
We were able to see 5 rescued female elephants roaming free throughout the forest. Everything was on their time whether they wanted to show up or just continue moseying about!
Mr. Tree (the owner) is doing great things for the future of Cambodia with the MondulkiriProject. This NGO is locally run by him and his family with complete consideration for the elephants and valiant efforts to provide jobs for members of his village. Cambodia hasn’t had an elephant born in the past 30 years. At the Mondulkiri project they hope to implement natural breeding. Hopefully their efforts will be successful and they can save the decreasing population of the Cambodian Asian elephant.
Can you believe these beautiful creatures used to work 10 hour days carrying tourists and being forced to perform tricks? I was shocked to find out that many elephants are forced into illegal logging where they carry loads of timber across the border. Can you even imagine how straining that must be for them? One elephant we met had suffered a broken back, her poor back bone was left permanently fragmented and scarred. This is no way to treat living, breathing creatures as sweet as the elephant!
Watching their lil feet movements was my favorite! Look at those crossed legs!
I’m so grateful to see them free and in good hands. It was truly special to have been able to feed them bananas and bathe them! They were so smiley and cute!
Save the elephants! Choose ethical tourism and let’s coexist!
Recommendations.
Mondulkiri Project, Elephant Sanctuary
- One day elephant adventure tour includes: walking and feeding elephants in the jungle, swimming and washing them, and lunch. 50USD 8am-4pm
- Two day elephant & jungle trek includes:
- Day one. Walking, feeding, swimming and washing elephants, traditional hill tribe cooking for lunch and dinner, and an overnight stay in a hammock at the jungle lodge.
- Day two. 18km trek with expert Bunong jungle guide to visit waterfalls, a cave and the hill tribe farms within the jungle. (breakfast and lunch included). 80USD tour ends 5 pm on day two.
You can find more information about their conservation efforts and partaking in a tour at: www.mondulkiriproject.org
Accommodation in Sen Monorum
- Tree lodge bungalows. 7USD
