Elephant Valley Project in Cambodia: Ethical Ecotourism and Wildlife Conservation
In a significant recognition for responsible tourism and wildlife conservation in Asia, the Elephant Valley Project in Cambodia was recently awarded an international prize for its approach to ethical ecotourism. This recognition highlights not only the work carried out by this elephant sanctuary but also how ecotourism can tangibly benefit the environment and local communities when practiced with respect, responsibility, and a long-term vision. The international award, granted in 2025 by the Asian Ecotourism Network (AEN), recognizes the Elephant Valley Project for its innovative ecotourism model, which prioritizes animal welfare, forest conservation, and community engagement. This achievement exemplifies how well-structured local initiatives can become global references for sustainability and responsible tourism.
What is the Elephant Valley Project?
The Elephant Valley Project was established in 2006 in Mondulkiri province, eastern Cambodia, as part of the Elephant Livelihood Initiative Environment (ELIE), an NGO dedicated to protecting and improving the lives of captive elephants and supporting communities that depend on them.
Unlike other tourist experiences that promote activities such as elephant rides, tricks, or shows for visitor entertainment, this sanctuary rejects all these practices and focuses on allowing elephants to live in an environment as close as possible to their natural habitat. Here, animals can move freely, behave naturally, and live with dignity, without being forced into activities that could cause them stress or harm.
The sanctuary covers over 1,500 hectares of forest, rivers, grasslands, and bamboo, providing significant space for rescued elephants to live with the freedom they deserve. The project’s approach is comprehensive: it not only houses animals but also works on protecting critical habitats, reforesting areas, environmental education, and offering sustainable economic opportunities for indigenous communities.
An ethical approach that makes a difference
What sets the Elephant Valley Project apart, earning it international recognition, is its firm commitment to an ethical approach to ecotourism. Instead of promoting direct physical contact between visitors and elephants or activities that prioritize tourist satisfaction at the expense of animal welfare, the project offers respectful observation experiences. Visitors can walk through the forest, watch elephants in their natural environment, learn their life stories, and understand the challenges these animals face.
This model is particularly relevant at a time when many elephant-related tourist experiences in Asia have been criticized for practices that exploit animals, such as riding elephants, performing shows, or forcing unnatural interactions. The “no riding, no tricks, no forced feeding, and no invasive activities” approach highlights the philosophy of letting elephants simply be elephants, living in the most natural and free environment possible. ELIE’s deputy director, Jemma Bullock, noted that the award recognizes nearly two decades of work and celebrates continuous collaboration with the Bunong indigenous community, who play a central role in sanctuary management. At the Elephant Valley Project, nearly 90% of the staff come from the Bunong community, and key project management decisions are made jointly, emphasizing the importance of community leadership in sustainable conservation initiatives.
Benefits for the local community
One of the most notable aspects of this project is how it integrates local communities into its operational model. The Bunong indigenous communities are not only part of the sanctuary’s administration but also directly benefit from its success. The creation of stable employment, environmental conservation training, and participation in ethical tourism activities have allowed local families to improve their quality of life without sacrificing their culture or natural resources.
This approach not only generates sustainable economic opportunities but also strengthens the sense of ownership and commitment of communities toward forest and wildlife protection. The experience demonstrates that when local communities are directly involved and benefit from conservation projects, outcomes can be much more lasting and positive for both people and nature.
Responsible ecotourism and its impact
Ethical ecotourism is not just about seeing animals or landscapes. It fosters a respectful relationship between visitors and nature that leaves real benefits for both. In the case of the Elephant Valley Project, the revenue generated by visitors and supporters is not only used for sanctuary maintenance but also funds veterinary care, elephant feeding programs, and support for local families.
Moreover, the project contributes to the protection of a broader forest corridor vital for the survival of elephants and other species. Such intervention has a positive long-term conservation impact by safeguarding key habitat areas from deforestation and environmental degradation.
The importance of an initiative like this also reflects a global trend toward more conscious travel experiences. Tourists increasingly seek destinations that combine natural beauty with ethical and sustainable practices. The international recognition of the project indicates that the tourism market increasingly values initiatives prioritizing animal welfare and environmental sustainability over traditional wildlife exploitation.
An inspiring model for other projects
The success of the Elephant Valley Project is not only a source of pride for Cambodia but also serves as an inspiring model for other wildlife conservation projects in Asia and worldwide. Its holistic approach, combining animal protection, sustainable tourism, and community empowerment, demonstrates that it is possible to generate economic benefits without sacrificing essential ethical and ecological values.
More and more projects and sanctuaries are reconsidering traditional practices and adopting more respectful models for animals and local communities. The international recognition of the Elephant Valley Project helps raise awareness of these practices and encourages other tourism operators and conservation organizations to follow a similar path.
Looking to the future
As tourism continues to recover globally, initiatives like the Elephant Valley Project are more relevant than ever. By offering ecotourism experiences that educate visitors about the importance of conservation and respect for nature, this sanctuary contributes to changing the narrative of animal tourism in Asia and beyond.
Furthermore, with the implementation of national policies, such as Cambodia’s sacred tourism strategy, which seeks to promote high-quality and sustainable tourism destinations, initiatives like this are likely to receive even more recognition and support, strengthening the role of ethical ecotourism as a driver of sustainable development.
