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Elephant Sanctuary Cambodia is a joint project developed in cooperation with Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary, which spans 32,000 acres, on the edge of the Kulen Promtep Wildlife Sanctuary. This sanctuary is one of the largest protected areas in Cambodia and is home to several endangered species, including the giant ibis, banteng, Eld’s deer, sarus crane, monkeys, gibbon and several turtle species. Once densely forested and rich in biodiversity, this area has been significantly impacted by illegal logging and poaching. The project is focused on protecting and restoring the jungle, located an hour and half north of the famous Angkor Wat temple complex.
Elephant Sanctuary Cambodia provides a safe home in nature to rescued elephants, including two females, Di-Ploh and Sarai Mia, who have lived at the sanctuary for several years and are free to roam the jungle during the day, foraging on natural vegetation. In November 2020, they were joined by the now famous Kaavan, who was rescued from a zoo in Pakistan. It is wonderful to see this majestic bull elephant enjoying his life in nature with the freedom to explore his jungle home and interact with other elephants.
Support the elephants at Elephant Sanctuary Cambodia
Di-Ploh
Di-Ploh was born in 1980. After a life in the logging industry, she was rescued from Mondulkiri Province, Cambodia in February 2017. It took her a while to adapt to her new life at Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary. When she first arrived she took very long excursions and would sometimes walk beyond the safety of our extensive boundary. She has since settled into her home and happily spends her days wandering and foraging in the jungle. Di-Poh is quite an independent elephant and is generally calm and graceful. At this time, she is solitary in nature, and is enjoying her more natural life at Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary.
Sarai-Mia
Sarai-Mia was born in 1992. She was rescued from logging in Mondulkiri Province, Cambodia in February 2017 at the same time as Di-Ploh. On arrival at CWS, Sarai-Mia met Arun Reah, with whom she became best friends. These 2 elephants were never far apart and displayed dramatic antics and vocalizations whenever they lost sight of one another in the forest. Sadly, Arun Reah passed away in September 2021, leaving her friend in mourning. Sarai-Mia is now enjoying a peaceful life, freely roaming throughout the sanctuary during the day, foraging on natural vegetation. She is full of energy and can often be very vocal when she is in a good mood.
Kaavan
Kaavan is a male Asian elephant who was born in 1985. On November 30 2020, the now famous Kaavan, dubbed ‘the loneliest elephant in the world’ arrived at Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary. Rescued from deplorable conditions at the Islamabad zoo in Pakistan, he was flown to CWS thanks to the support of singer, Cher, Free the Wild, Four Paws, together with many other people and organizations who campaigned for Kaavan’s freedom. Kaavan is the first bull elephant to live at the sanctuary and is enjoying his new life exploring and foraging in his jungle home. Kaavan has now started the next chapter of his life – one with freedom, love and kindness.
Volunteer with Elephants
Volunteering at Elephant Sanctuary Cambodia
Volunteers who visit Elephant Sanctuary Cambodia have the special experience of walking with the elephants as they wander the jungle during the day, observing them foraging on natural vegetation, drinking from and swimming in one of the damns. Volunteers help care for the elephants by cutting and preparing food for them and cleaning their night shelters.
You will also have the chance to help to reforest the area by keeping records of identified species, collecting seeds, and planting saplings. Volunteers assist in the care of injured and orphaned animals who have been rescued so that they can be rehabilitated and returned to their jungle home. Volunteers also help care for the domestic animals who have found a home at the sanctuary, including dogs, cats, and cows as well as lending a hand with the sustainable farming of vegetables and fruit.
Other volunteer activities include teaching English at a local school and working with the local community to establish educational outreach programs for children. The ongoing support of volunteers is vital to ensuring the project’s continued success – caring for the rescued animals and protecting and regenerating this important natural habitat so that it can sustain a diverse range of wildlife for generations to come.
Join our eco-volunteer program and play a vital role in caring for the rescued elephants and helping to protect and regenerate a beautiful natural habitat so that native species can repopulate the wildlife reserve
Volunteer Activities
- Observe the elephants interacting and foraging in the forest
- Take regular walks with the elephants through the jungle
- Wash and prepare food for the elephants
- Cut grass and banana tress for the elephants
- Prepare food and feed the monkeys
- Clean Kaavan and the other elephant's shelters
- Help with reforestation by planting trees & tying sashes around trees
- Care for injured & orphaned animals until their release back into the wild
- Help care for the domestic animals at the sanctuary
- Teach English to local children and develop educational programs
- Help with sustainable farming, making trails & minor construction projects
- Enjoy delicious vegetarian Thai dishes freshly prepared daily
Volunteer Project Details
Number of Guests: 20
Number of Elephants: 3
Tour Type: One Week Volunteer (maximum stay of 4 weeks)
Fitness Level: Moderate
Age Suitability: Adults 18+
What's Included
- Transportation from hotel in Siem Reap to project and back
- Clean on-site accommodation in bungalows
- Three freshly prepared vegetarian buffet style meals per day
- Bottled drinking water, tea & coffee
- Qualified English speaking guide
- Free t-shirt and water bottle holder
Volunteer Project Price
Adults 18+: US$400 / 15,000 Baht per week
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Support the Elephants at CWS
The Rescue of Kaavan
On the 29th November, Kaavan, a bull elephant who had spent 3 decades in a zoo in Islamabad, Pakistan, was rescued and brought to live at Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary. Kaavan, who was captured from the wild, was sent to Pakistan as gift from the Sri Lankan government when he was just one year old. At the age of six he was joined by a female elephant from Bangladesh, named Saheli, who he lived with for the next 22 years before her death in 2012. Kaavan was deeply saddened by the passing of his friend and became more stressed, aggressive, and depressed. Living alone and often chained, Kaavan’s condition and health deteriorated and he became known as the world’s loneliest elephant.
A student in Pakistan, Dr Samar Khan became aware of Kaavan’s plight, which started a long struggle to free Kaavan from his life of suffering. When American popstar, Cher heard about Kaavan, she and her organization, Free the Wild, began campaigning for Kaavan, and in 2020 the Islamabad High Court ruled that Kaavan should be relocated. With the help of Four Paws and Free The Wild, Kaavan was moved to Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary, where for the first time in many years, he was able to meet and interact with other elephants.
Thanks to the support of Save Elephant Foundation, Trunks Up, and Gentle Giants, a temporary enclosure was built for Kaavan, while his larger jungle home was under construction. Kaavan has adjusted well to his new life at Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary. On 15 July 2021 Kaavan moved to his new jungle home where he will finally have the chance to roam, forage, and be an elephant again. Thank you to Cher, Saengduean Lek Chailert, Darrick Thomson, David Casselman and all the people who helped to rescue Kaavan and who have supported the building of Kaavan’s new home over the past year.
Kaavan at Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary
When Kaavan first came to live at Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary he stayed in a large temporary enclosure while his new jungle home was being built.
Kaavan in his Jungle Home
Photos courtesy of Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary | © Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary
Many news organizations covered the rescue of Kaavan and a documentary has been made by the Smithsonian Institute, featuring Cher and Kaavan’s story.
Wildlife at Elephant Sanctuary Cambodia
Volunteers at Elephant Sanctuary Cambodia
Location, Accomodation & Meals
About Your Volunteer Program
Start: Monday – 8:00am–8:30am – minivan pick up from accommodation in Siem Reap.
Travel Time: Around 1.5 – 2 hours from Siem Reap.
Return: Sunday – after lunch you will be transported to Siem Reap.
Duration: Most volunteers choose to stay for 1 week but volunteer stays of up to 4 weeks are welcomed. Volunteer positions start on Monday and end on Sunday.
Accommodation: Clean on-site accommodation in wooden bungalows with beds and mosquito nets, ensuite bathrooms (cold water). Mains power and wifi is available and there is a washing machine at the sanctuary also. You may possibly need to share your bungalow with 1 other volunteer of the same gender.
Baggage / Luggage Allowance: One standard check-in sized rucksack / suitcase / bag & one day pack per person.
What to Bring: Overnight bag with change of clothes for 7 days, long pants and long-sleeve shirts, t-shirts, shorts, gardening gloves, hat, sunscreen, walking shoes, sandals/flip flops, change of clothing for river bathing, towel, camera, insect repellent, flashlight, refillable water bottle & personal medication. *Bring clothing and items suitable for wet weather if visiting in the rainy season (June – Oct). If visiting in the cool season (Nov – Feb), bring some clothing suitable for cold weather. If you would like to bring items for the local school students such as pens, coloring pencils, notebooks, games, toys, etc. they will be much appreciated.
Travel Insurance: Volunteers are required to have travel insurance covering medical expenses and emergency repatriation.
Vaccinations: Please contact your doctor or a vaccination center for details on recommended vaccinations.
Operational Months: All year round.
Age Suitability: Adults over 18 years old.
Fitness Level: Moderate – daily walks through the jungle.
Topography: Jungle, grassland & ponds.
Location: 100km north of Siem Reap, home to the ancient Angkor Wat temple complex, Cambodia.
Nearest Airport: Siem Reap (REP) – we recommend you stay in Siem Reap on Sunday night before your volunteer week begins.
Visa Requirements: Cambodia currently offers a 30 day visa on arrival. If you intend to stay longer, you must apply for an extension – travel agents also provide this service. The over-stay fine at the time of writing is US$6 per day.
Booking Details: Bookings close 3 days before you are due to visit this project. When booking online a 30% non-refundable deposit is required to secure your booking. The balance can be paid in US dollars only (at the exchange rate on the day) at Elephant Sanctuary Cambodia on Monday morning – the day your volunteer stay commences. Please note that you can withdraw US dollars from ATM’s in Cambodia. On arrival at the project you will be required to complete an insurance form and provide a copy of your passport.
Ethical Elephant Volunteer Project
This is a small Saddle Off volunteer project with a limited number of guests. Our model is based on ensuring the well-being of the elephants, which means no riding or other unnatural activities.
Life during Covid at Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary
This sanctuary in Cambodia was home to three beautiful female elephants – Di-Poh, Arun Reah, and Sarai Mia at the beginning of the Covid crisis. Sadly, Arun Reah passed away quite suddenly in October 2021. Before Covid, volunteers would visit this project regularly to help care for and support the elephants, together with many other rescued animals who live at the sanctuary. There were no visitors or volunteers at Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary for almost 2 years but now the sanctuary has reopened. The elephants spend their days foraging in the jungle and cooling off in the ponds and recently have been getting to know Kaavan, a bull elephant rescued in November 2020.
