AKP Takeo, March 02, 2025–

Minister of Information H.E. Neth Pheaktra, in his capacity as Honorary President of the Airavata Elephant Foundation, this morning led a delegation to the Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre to visit "Somnang Lomphat," a rescued elephant calf.

The visit aimed to express support for wildlife conservation and provide financial assistance for the calf's care.

The approximately five-month-old calf, named "Somnang Lomphat" (meaning "Lucky Lomphat"), was rescued on Dec. 8, 2024, in Koh Nhek district after being separated from its mother and injured by a poacher's snare.

Wildlife Alliance (WA) and park rangers transported the injured calf to the Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre on Dec. 10, 2024, where it has received treatment and care. Members of the Airavata Elephant Foundation expressed their delight at seeing the calf's improving health, noting that its snare wound had healed approximately 90 percent thanks to the diligent care of the wildlife rescue team.

H.E. Minister Neth Pheaktra, known for his leadership of the "Zero Snaring Campaign" during the sixth mandate of the Royal Government, reiterated his call for public participation in combating the use of snares to protect both human and wildlife safety.

"Snares are silent killers that claim the lives of wildlife daily, often leaving survivors maimed," H.E. Minister Neth Pheaktra stated.

He expressed his satisfaction at the successful rescue of "Somnang Lomphat," highlighting the public awareness it has generated regarding the dangers of snares and the ongoing need for wildlife protection efforts.

By K. Rithy Reak