By EVP Project Manager | Ecotourism Project Manager
Donor Report Update: Save the Soul Sisters – Doe & Darling - June 2026
WE DID IT!!!
There is no better news to share than that we did it! We have fully raised the funds for both Doe & Darling, our two amazing beautiful elephants. A lot of tears from happiness were shed and we could finally breathe properly again.
They continue to spend their days living happily together in the forest. Taking mud baths together, strolling around to look for some yummy fruits they can eat, or just enjoying all the available bamboo that is around. Seeing them like this every day makes it all so worth it and knowing they will spend the rest of their life with us is a dream come true.
About the Soul Sisters
Doe (Gee Bloh) and Darling (Bong Kong) are two elderly female elephants in their 50s and 60s, affectionately known as the “Soul Sisters.” Bound by a lifelong connection, they have been part of the Elephant Valley Project family on and off since 2012, with a long term contract signed in 2020. When the owners were under pressure from people in the city to buy their elephants, they did not want them sold out of Mondulkiri, but the money was tempting. We could not let this happen.
So we launched one of our biggest fundraising campaigns to date - to raise $70,000 for Doe and Darling to be signed over to the sanctuary permanently.
The Campaign
We raised the funds for Doe relatively fast and by Dec 2025, she was secured. It took a little longer to get the remaining balance for Darling. With hundreds of donors, including two large donations from EXO Travel Foundation and then the Lady FreeThinker Organisation, by Feb 2026 we had reached 88% of our goal. Then thanks to a major donation of $8000 from the Van Wijk in memory of their puppy Pepper, we secured the last funding to reach the final balance. Therefore as of April 2026, Darling is now officially signed over to the sanctuary.
This was a huge amount to raise at once but we were confident that we could do it and failing was not an option.
Because of You
Your generosity ensures that these two remarkable elephants can live out the rest of their days exactly as they choose: side-by-side, roaming freely in the forest, protected from harm, and receiving the dedicated care they deserve.
We are continuously moved by the kindness of our global community, and we want to take a moment to say a massive thank you. The security, health and happiness that Doe and Darling enjoy today are entirely funded by supporters like you. On behalf of everyone at the sanctuary and, of course, from the Soul Sisters themselves: THANK YOU for being such an essential part of their journey.
With deep appreciation,
From everyone at ELIE & Elephant Valley Project
By Cynthia Knuppe | Project Manager
By Cynthia Knuppe | Ecotourism Projectmanager
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