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Report finds up to 600 pachyderms living wild, moots 'national stronghold'
Some 400 to 600 Asian elephants still survive in the wilds of Cambodia, according to a recent report. "With sufficient suitable habitat remaining in the region, the population has the potential to grow if properly protected," it said. © AP
PHNOM PENH (AP) -- A genetic study of Asian elephants in northern Cambodia published Thursday reveals a larger and more robust population than previously thought, raising hopes the endangered species could slowly recover.
Researchers from the Fauna & Flora conservation group collected samples from elephant dung in Cambodia's northern plains and extracted DNA. From the DNA they were able to identify individual elephants, estimate population size, and determine the sex of the animals and the overall genetic diversity of the population.