Mondulkiri Elephant & Wildlife Sanctuary

The Mondulkiri Elephant & Wildlife Sanctuary is a nonprofit wildlife conservation & ecotourism project, developed by L.E.A.F Cambodia, in cooperation with the local Indigenous Bunong communities in Mondulkiri. The sanctuary's local forest & wildlife conservation programs have 4 main goals:

1: To protect the area's beautiful community forests from logging and development. Benefit & improve the liv

es of poor communities and to preserve the special culture of the Indigenous Bunong community

2: To rescue & provide sanctuary for local working elephants currently used for tourist rides, logging and heavy farm work.

3:To develop a facility for the rescue and reintroduction of trafficked & captive wildlife

4:To promote and demonstrate sustainable ecotourism, educate locals about long term conservation benefits & develop a passion for helping wild animals among Mondulkiri's youth. By developing an ethical elephant ecotourism program, the project provides an alternative, sustainable means of income for the village families - the sustainable income reduces the financial need for logging & hunting. It also creates additional jobs, opportunities, and the chance to learn English. Elephants at the sanctuary can live free from work, nor are they subjected to the harmful practices and risks they faced while ‘employed’ in logging or tourist ride camps.