| Siem Reap is one of the most-visited tourist hubs of | | | | trait and the low life expectancy and infertility means |
| the world, thanks to the recently discovered wonder | | | | that it is either not being passed on or that the |
| and beauty of the ruins of Angkor. From splendid | | | | females have little opportunity to become |
| golden spires of the Wats and the intricate | | | | experienced. |
| engravings of ancient citadels stroked sinisterly by | | | | The Compagnie des Eléphants d'Angkor is one of |
| the fingers of encroaching jungle, to the lush valleys | | | | the few organizations who refuse to be discouraged, |
| and mountains running beside rivers lined on either | | | | however. They continue their efforts to rehabilitate |
| side by stilted rural homesteads and yellow robed | | | | the elephant population by creating a comprehensive |
| monks in the hill temples, Siem Reap tempts | | | | breeding program and attempting to form a cohesive |
| travellers around the world with its of exotic sights. | | | | dialogue between the owners and environmental |
| There are few ways to absorb the echoes of | | | | NGOs concerned. |
| Angkor's lost grandeur more thoroughly than to | | | | Most of this is funded by the elephant rides they |
| experience the ever-varying montage of natural and | | | | offer tourists to hire as part of their exploration of |
| historical marvels while mounted on an elephant, | | | | ancient Angkor's wondrous ruins. It has become a |
| following the traditional transport of ancient royalty | | | | favourite mode of traversing the wide-spread area |
| lost to time. | | | | where the elaborate sculptures and wats of bygone |
| This last is an enterprise led by the Compagnie des | | | | splendour continue to persevere over the |
| Eléphants d'Angkor, a non-profit organization | | | | encroaching jungle. However, if you're hoping to see |
| dedicated to conserving the welfare of the last | | | | an elephant show with brightly-dressed elephants |
| remaining domestic elephants in the country. The | | | | performing tricks - perish the thought! The volunteers |
| animals presently number a rough total of about | | | | of Compagnie des Eléphants d'Angkor are |
| hundred elephants, fully one-fifth of whom are now | | | | passionate about conserving the dignity of these |
| in the organization's care. The organization is | | | | majestic beasts and preventing their exploitation in |
| concerned not only with caring for the elephants and | | | | the name of human entertainment. Instead they |
| trying to painstakingly increase their numbers but also | | | | offer lessons in how to be a mahout (elephant rider) |
| preventing the exploitation of these dignified beasts | | | | and the care of elephants, as well as opportunity to |
| and returning them to their former awe-inspiring and | | | | feed and bond with these gentle giants - something |
| beloved status. | | | | visiting children love to do. |
| The situation of elephants in Cambodia is a truly dire | | | | If you are a lover of nature and animals, you too will |
| one; the number of domestic elephants keeps | | | | thrill to the majesty and gentleness of these beasts, |
| plummeting dangerously despite the best efforts of | | | | whose ancestors were once the symbols and |
| conservationists. The average lifespan of a normal | | | | beloved pets of Angkor royalty. For those staying at |
| elephant is about that of a human's, 70 years. In | | | | a Siem Reap hotel for the duration of their Angkor |
| Cambodia, however, the life expectancy of these | | | | exploration will be able to make these creatures |
| animals has diminished to 45 years. In addition to | | | | multiple visits with convenience. Raffles Grand Hotel |
| premature death arises the problem of infertility | | | | d'Angkor in particular is a luxury hotel Cambodia that |
| among female elephants over 30 and the precarious | | | | can easily arrange elephant rides for their guests as |
| nature of their pregnancies. And once the calf is born, | | | | they replicate the experience of the first modern |
| most females are too inexperienced to handle raising | | | | explorers uncovering the magnificence of a vanished |
| it, as maternal behaviour in their species is a learned | | | | people. |
