Living in Harmony with Elephants
The Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) is a keystone species that plays a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem functions, and is a flagship species in Cambodia for conservation efforts. Elephants are known for their important roles in environment, including maintaining ecosystem health, diversity and the balance of tropical forests and grasslands.
In Cambodia, the elephant population in Thmor Roung faces threats such as habitat loss and fragmentation due to agricultural expansion, poaching, and human-elephant conflicts.
3C is supporting Fauna & Flora’s Cambodia Programme to raise awareness about the importance of elephants and their role to maintain ecosystem values and functions.
On August 25, 2026, 3C participated in a workshop with 53 other participants from the Preah Sihanouk provincial, commune and village levels to raise awareness and share knowledge on methods and tools to reduce the conflict on using natural resources between humans and elephants. The workshop was held at the Thmor Rung Forestry Community Office.
3C also visited some properties where elephants had intruded and destroyed the villagers’ crops. There was evidence of elephant footprints and dung. A pilot of an early-warning system was established that will alert the community when elephants approach their farmlands.
Left: Measuring elephant footprint. Right: elephant dung found on a farm. Photos - 3C Environmental Solutions. Top 3 photos courtesy of Fauna & Flora Cambodia Programme.