Wild Earth Allies (WEA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, is currently conducting a detailed study of the diet of wild elephants. In the past three years of research, it has so far documented 87 different species of plants, through the analysis of elephant dung.

The ongoing study is being conducted in the Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary area, in Stung Treng province. A four-day inspection from August 21-24 found that elephants in the area had eaten nearly 20 different species of plants, according to the environment ministry.

Tuy Sereivathana, program director of WEA Cambodia, said that after completing a survey of the number of elephants in the area, the organisation is also studying their diet, by examining their manure. The organisation hopes to use the data to manage the food supply of the wild population of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) and increase their numbers.

Through the use of camera traps, the study determined that 26 wild elephants currently inhabit the Prey Lang forest area in Stung Treng. 

“We are studying what types of plants the elephants consume in Prey Lang, and what types of habitats and water sources are needed. To increase the number of wild elephants in the future, it is essential to understand their food and habitat,” said Sereivathana, adding, “This study will help us understand the food capacity or supply available to wild elephants and whether it meets their needs.”

“In 2019, WEA began Cambodia’s first study of the Asian elephant diet in wild populations. After three years of research in Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary, it deepened our understanding of this keystone species. The findings led to us launching the ‘Elephant Trees project’, a novel tree-planting method focused on the vegetation Asian elephants eat,” said a WEA statement.

To understand the diets of Asian elephants, its field teams followed 10 known elephant trails and documented the plants and fruits consumed by elephants. 

“By observing freshly chewed vegetation and analysing dung piles, the team documented 87 different plant species in the elephants’ diet,” according to the WEA.

“We found seeds in the elephant dung, which we then germinate and plant in areas of degraded forest to restore certain parts of Prey Lang,” added Sereyvathna.

Through the project, 2,472 saplings have been planted in collaboration with local communities and environment ministry officials. An additional 20,000 saplings have been cultivated.

Sereyvathna added that studies of the southern parts of the Cardamom mountains and northern parts (Prey Lang, Ratanakkiri, Mondulkiri) of the Tonle Sap Lake region estimate the population of wild elephants in Cambodia to be between 400 and 600 individuals.

Sreang Chea Heng, director of the Stung Treng provincial Department of Environment, could not be reached for further comment.