Anantara’s charitable foundation, the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation (GTAEF) works in partnership with local communities around the world to reinforce its commitment toward environmental, social and cultural conservation. One such initiative, The Cardamom Tented Camp in Cambodia, has recorded the return of a small herd of wild elephants to its conservation area, after an absence of five years as well as a large group of at-risk native smooth coated otters.

Since 2014, the concession of land on which the camp is located has been funded via The Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation (GTAEF) as one of several philanthropic causes supported worldwide by Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas. Recently, forest rangers discovered and photographed elephant footprints and droppings inside the 18,000-hectare forest concession, which the camp protects with help from Wildlife Alliance and funds raised by Anantara guests.

“From the size of the dung and the number of footprints, it seems that this is a herd of nine elephants comprising four adult females, their calves and one juvenile,” said John Roberts Director of the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation (GTAEF) and Group Director of Sustainability & Conservation for Anantara, which has been fully funding the ranger effort since the pandemic shut down tourism across the globe. “They have
also been caught on camera traps in the area south of our concession.”

“There is human traffic and a non-ideal environment all around us,” continued Roberts. “But whether the elephants are on a long migration or looking for a new home we are pleased to welcome them to our forests and grasslands. It’s an environment they prefer, and we ensure it comes with zero harassment.”

Lodge manager Allan Michaud, who is a wildlife photographer and conservationist, reports the return of a group of otters as well to the Preak Tachan river beside the camp. “There are around 15 to 18 of them, ranging over 20 kilometres of river, with the camp being pretty much at the centre of their territory,” said Michaud. This species of otter is native to Cambodia and is one of three species that are globally threatened and at risk of extinction due to human activities, this development could be significant for Cambodia’s role in the global conservation of otters.

Fully vaccinated travelers can now enter Cambodia and it has nearly 90% of its 16 million population fully vaccinated, one of the highest inoculation rates in Asia. The ideal time to visit this idyllic corner of the world is between December to April as the southwest Cambodia region near the Thai border enjoys blue skies and rain free days. “It is a perfect time for hiking, kayaking, bird spotting or relaxing on our river pontoon with a good book,” said Michaud.