Wild Elephant Herd Stirs Village Concern as Rangers Track Their Every Step

PHNOM PENH, August 24, 2026 – A herd of six wild elephants, including a tiny calf, has been roaming near villages in Preah Vihear province, prompting authorities and conservation teams to launch a round-the-clock monitoring operation to protect both the animals and local communities.

Since August 12, the Preah Vihear Provincial Environment Department, working alongside WCS and district authorities, has been tracking the herd's every move using drones and ground patrols. The elephants have been spotted in the Chep-Preah Roka Wildlife Sanctuary, just three kilometres from human settlements, raising both excitement and concern among residents.

So far, the herd has shown no aggression toward humans and appears to have made a temporary home in the O Sreng Sralau area. But authorities are not taking any chances. As reports of crop damage trickle in from worried villagers, rangers have stepped up awareness campaigns, teaching communities how to coexist with the endangered giants and avoid dangerous confrontations.

The sanctuary is home to an estimated 15 to 20 wild elephants, while Cambodia's protected areas support a total population of 400 to 600 Asian elephants—a species classified as endangered on the global list. Conservationists see the frequent sightings of herds and calves as a hopeful sign that Cambodia's forests are being protected and that the country is playing a vital role in saving this majestic species from extinction.

For now, the herd continues its slow march through the forest, watched over by a dedicated team determined to keep both people and elephants safe.

— Source: Ministry of Environment

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Reported by The Khmer Today