Elephant Valley Project

Elephant Family

(L-R) Ketja, Layla, Zahra, Sherry, Prov

The Elephant Valley Project in Mondulkiri province became our jungle home for 5 days. And what a five-day adventure it was! We got to meet some great people--some new every day--and formed an "Awesome-Vol 5" or "The Elephant Family", with 3 great travel adventurers from Britain (Layla), Pakistan (Zahra), and the Netherlands (Ketja). We were able to trek and visit with the 10 rescued elephants at the project, led by some great Mahouts (Elephant Handlers).

It is difficult to describe the experience, it surpassed our expectations.  This international experience proves how small our world really is.  One of the people working at the Elephant Valley Project is from Peru Vermont less than 60 miles from our home in Guilford. Another woman there was the sister of a Principal working in Pakistan at the highschool Zahra went to.

Everyone involved in this project was dedicated to a simpler sustainable way of interacting with the Elephants, people, and communities around them.  The Bunong people from this area are warm and very interested in helping us understand their belief in Animalism and the spirits in the jungle and animals. The Project manager Chris was an amazing wealth of knowledge and passion for the project. He always has a smile and a 'no worries' way of being.   Each day began with an amazing breakfast made by the Bunong of crepe-like pancakes, loads of fruit and eggs. We were all very excited when peanut butter came out.  Lunch and dinner were always a vegetarian and meat entree, rice, salad, and fruits.  Never the same meal twice. We trekked into the jungle with guides to observe and stand in awe of these 10 beautiful creatures who were either purchased or "rented to the project.

Health check w/Mahout, Toin, and Project Manager Chris. Chris, Sherry, and Prov above

Our group of 5 stayed for 5 days so we got to assist in health checks and actually touch and interact with the elephants up close.  It was very special.  Most of the time these elephants wander the jungle with their Mahouts and are essentially free to come and go.  Most days involved some type of volunteer job from looking for snares in the jungle to replanting banana trees or clearing a new nature trail. This physical set up and daily people interaction felt like the jungle scale of Camp Waubanong back home!

A Mahout relaxing

Lead guide, Duin

Sit quietly and imagine the rustling of branches, the call of birds, somewhat familiar but not quite the same, then this large amazing creature walking by you, sometimes 50 yards away and sometimes almost close enough to touch, often with a friend or two. Sauntering to the river for a wash. Their mahouts were sitting on their necks or had disappeared silently into the tropical foliage but were ever present though not always visible.  Our Guides were Bunong men who were filled with mischievous fun and eager to offer information and answer questions.

The 10 elephants are grouped by 2 or 3 according to personalities. The most famous elephant is Sambo, she came from Phnom Phen and you can google her and her story.

The smallest girl, Ruby was a working elephant and spent her youth logging with male elephants so has a few more male behaviors and is protective.  Her growth was stunted by her early years of hard labor. Hen, the sole male was by far the largest.  He has 2 Mahouts with him at all times and during "must" is very unpredictable.  We were not allowed to get near him.

I had the awesome experience of having Meanang become very interested in me during her health check and she softly wrapped her cool trunk around my calf sniffing and touching me.

Their leathery smooth but wrinkled thick skin was akin to a very tough Carhart material, their soft ears cooler to the touch are the area that helps to regulate their temperature.

Awesome-Vol5 w/ Mahout/Guide/Vet Assistant in training, Toin. Ruby in background

We spent hours each day just watching the elephants interact with the world around them.  They wander around us, through us and to us as they wished. No riding, no working, just learning to be elephants.

Prov & Romano

Romano w/guide Bros, the 1st two to hit the water

As previously stated, we met some great people at the Elephant Valley Project from different parts of the world. Two of these people, Italian Ramano, and Stephano stood out and became an addition to the Awesome-Vol 5 for the last two days, bringing with them that Italian flare that we so desperately needed. They give up their chance to be with elephants in the afternoon of their last day, so they can hang with and accompany us to a beautiful jungle waterfall for a cool swim.

We will do this again in our future trips to Cambodia, it was 5 days inspiration, rejuvenation, being spoiled and meeting new friends of the 2 legged and 4 legged variety.