Cambodia Deploys Automatic Cameras to Monitor Asian Elephants and Study Migration Patterns

Cambodia's Ministry of Environment has installed automatic cameras in the Srepok Wildlife Sanctuary in Mondulkiri province to protect and study the endangered Asian elephant. This initiative, supported by WWF Cambodia, aims to identify elephant populations and understand their seasonal migration patterns. From September 6 to 15, 2026, park rangers at the Srepok Wildlife Sanctuary deployed automatic cameras at key locations. This effort will enable precise monitoring of Asian elephant presence and detailed study of their movements and behaviors throughout the seasons. The Ministry of Environment has urged local residents passing through the area not to damage the automatic cameras, as the data collected is crucial for biodiversity research, particularly concerning the Asian elephant in this region. Past research indicates that Cambodia is home to approximately 400 to 600 Asian elephants, primarily residing in the Cardamom Mountains, the northern plateau of Tonle Sap Lake, and the eastern highlands of Mondulkiri, Ratanakiri, and Stung Treng provinces. These areas boast rich biodiversity and ecosystems conducive to the survival of elephants and other wildlife. Domesticated elephants are estimated to number over 70. Asian elephants are considered a keystone species due to their significant cultural importance, ecological role, and their ability to protect the habitats of other species within their range. Elephants act as seed dispersers in ecosystems and their ground-digging activities create beneficial conditions for other animals. Source: AKP Khmer