Before the sun rose in the dense green of Preah Roka Wildlife Sanctuary, life breathed quietly through tall trees, flowing streams and hidden pathways where wild animals once moved without fear. But when war’s thunder came, that peace was destroyed.
On December 23, park rangers and local people found the bodies of a mother Asian elephant and her newborn calf lying in the O’Skach area of the sanctuary in Preah Vihear province, Cambodia. The mother weighed approximately 500 kilograms, and the little one weighed about 80 kilograms. Both were dead; the calf had lost its life as its mother suffered severe wounds. Investigators and officials said the injuries were caused by explosive fragments believed to have come from recent attacks by Thai military forces.
These killings are not ordinary wildlife deaths. The Cambodian government says they are the result of bombardment from Thai jets, artillery and other weapons that struck forest areas near the Cambodia–Thailand border. Environment Minister Eang Sophalleth called these acts environmental crime, saying they violate international law and have destroyed natural resources and biodiversity as well as harming people.
The sanctuary where the elephants were found is one of several protected forest areas in Preah Vihear that border Thailand. These forests are home to a diverse array of wildlife and serve as a crucial corridor where elephants and other species migrate, forage, and reside. Cambodia is believed to have more than 600 Asian elephants living in protected forests across the country, and they are listed as endangered by international conservation groups. (Cambodianess, 2025 December 24)
Local and international conservation groups have been outraged by what has happened. The Airavata Elephant Conservation Foundation urged wildlife lovers and people concerned about the environment around the world to condemn the killing of the elephant and her calf, calling the use of modern weapons and toxic smoke in forest areas a violent attack on nature itself. (Thmey Thmey, 2025 December 26)
This loss is not just about two elephants. It is about the forests and rivers that suffered from explosions, the plants and smaller animals that live there, and the balance of life that depended on this protected area. Shelling and airstrikes do not just harm people and buildings. They tear through the delicate web of life that has adapted over centuries.
Some residents first saw blood-stained elephant footprints as early as December 14, but heavy fighting along the border kept rangers from reaching the injured animals in time. By the time officials were able to investigate, both elephants had already died. (Kampuchea Thmey Daily, 2025 December 24)
The environment minister said the attacks did more than hurt people and damage buildings — they destroyed natural habitats that support life. In his words, when the environment is harmed, life itself is violated. (Phnom Penh Post, 2025 December 24)
For many Cambodians, the news of these elephants is heartbreaking. Wild elephants are not just a symbol of the forest; they are part of the country’s heritage and culture. Their loss underscores how deeply human conflict can reach into the world of nature — taking from the earth what can never be fully returned.
