Ministry Cambodia has only 71 domesticated elephants left, a figure described as the lowest ever recorded, prompting urgent calls for stronger conservation efforts. Information Minister Neth Pheaktra, who also serves as honorary president of the Airavata Elephant Foundation, said protecting the country’s remaining elephants requires immediate investment and long‑term commitment. “We all can say that we love elephants, but to the elephants, the most meaningful form of love is action,” Pheaktra told a gathering on 12 August. He urged donors and government agencies not to delay, stressing that conservation must be pursued today rather than when numbers fall further. Elephants have long held cultural and religious significance in Cambodia, appearing in traditional narratives and carved into temple walls. Yet their survival now depends on costly and complex care, including suitable habitats, veterinary services and experienced mahouts. Breeding is particularly challenging, with pregnancies lasting nearly two years and calves requiring years of support before reaching adulthood. The Airavata Elephant Foundation in Ratanakiri province has become a focal point for conservation, offering healthcare and preserving traditional bonds between communities and elephants. Despite the difficulties, Cambodia has welcomed two calves in the past five years, though one later died from illness. “Every birth is hope. Every loss is huge,” Pheaktra said. The minister warned that conservation cannot wait. With the population at just 71, each elephant represents a vital link to Cambodia’s heritage and biodiversity. He called for expanded funding, stronger veterinary programmes and wider public engagement to ensure the animals can reproduce and thrive. For campaigners, the message is clear: Cambodia’s elephants are at a tipping point. Protecting them now is the only way to guarantee they remain part of the country’s future, not just its past. -2026-08-19
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