Posted on August, 12 2025

On the morning of 12 August in Mondulkiri’s Srepok Wildlife Sanctuary, groups of students gazed into the forest with wonder, imagining a four-ton giant trudging through the tall grass. Their imaginations grew as they traveled down a worn dirt path, listening to the insights of local rangers who protect the forest and its wild inhabitants.

This World Elephant Day – coinciding with International Youth Day – WWF-Cambodia partnered with the Mondulkiri Provincial Administration, the Provincial Department of Environment and local authorities to bring Mondulkiri students to Tropeang Thmeir Ranger Outpost for a half-day of educational programming. Here, students experienced the place where rangers and community patrol members safeguard Srepok Wildlife Sanctuary, home to wild Asian elephants and other wildlife.

Students and accompanying community members spent the morning learning about elephant biology, on-the-ground conservation activities and ways to prevent human-elephant conflict through interactive games. A “dream map” presentation from community representatives in Koh Myeurl envisioned elephants and humans living peacefully together. On a “habitat walk” guided by rangers, students were inspired students to be elephant allies by refusing unsustainably sourced wildlife and timber products.

Read more by downloading the PDF.