Mondulkiri Province, Cambodia — A baby elephant, separated from its herd, was recently rescued near a cassava plantation bordering the Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary in Mondulkiri province, according to a report by WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society) Cambodia.

Local villagers first spotted the young elephant alone on the plantation and reported that it had been wandering without its herd for nearly two weeks as of November 2, 2024. The elephant, visibly thin and weakened from a lack of maternal milk, was carefully monitored by WCS’s biodiversity team, who initiated a rescue plan while observing to see if the herd would return to retrieve the calf.

During this period, WCS Cambodia, in partnership with WWF-Cambodia and Wildlife Alliance (WA), provided supplementary nutrition and milk to help stabilize the baby elephant’s condition. After waiting for four days without any sign of the herd, the team decided that immediate action was necessary to ensure the elephant’s survival. WCS then coordinated with a wildlife rescue team to facilitate the elephant’s relocation to a secure environment.

The complex rescue operation, which took place on November 2-3, involved multiple organizations, including WCS, WWF, WA, the Forestry Administration of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Center’s team, the Mondulkiri Department of Environment, local park rangers, CPA community patrol, and members of the local community. Despite the challenging terrain, the collaborative team successfully transported the baby elephant from the plantation to Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Center, where it arrived safely on the evening of November 3.

This successful rescue underscores the strength of collaboration among conservation organizations, government bodies, and local communities, all working together to protect Cambodia's invaluable wildlife and natural resources.

“We will continue to collaborate with stakeholders to improve natural resource conservation and protect this vital wealth for future generations,” WCS Cambodia stated in its release.

This heartening rescue highlights Cambodia's ongoing commitment to wildlife conservation and the protection of its rich biodiversity.