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Big News!! Save the Soul Sisters: A Forever Home for Doe & Darling

You may have already seen on our social media, but our very own Doe and Darling - two deeply bonded elephant “soul sisters” in their 50s and 60s - future is under threat. Over the years you’ve been a major sponsor of Doe & Darling or one of our other elephants. It is because of your generosity, we’ve rescued ele’s, supported the community, restored forest habitat, and helped elephants begin their healing.

Doe (Gee Bloh) and Darling (Bong Kong), two elephants currently resting peacefully at our sanctuary, are facing a heartbreaking turning point. Unless we raise the funds to officially rescue them, their family may be forced to sell them into city tourism or close-contact camps.

We can’t let that happen.

We’ve launched a new campaign Save the Soul Sisters: A Forever Home for Doe & Darling. These two lifelong companions deserve to live out their final years in peace. Together, we must raise $70,000 to secure their permanent sanctuary at EVP. We currently have raised close to $25,000 and we have $45,000 to go. 

From September 8–12, 2025, GlobalGiving is also  running the Passport to Purpose campaign, with $150,000 in matching funds available. Every donation of up to $1,000 per donor will be proportionally matched, helping your gift for Doe & Darling stretch even further. 

Consider a further donation for Doe & Darling and join the Soul Sisters Movement → https://elephantvalleyproject.org/save-doe-darling/ 

Quarterly Update

The rainy season has swept into Mondulkiri, and with it, the forest is bursting back to life. Streams are flowing again, the bamboo is fresh, and our elephants are happily filling their bellies with green leaves and wild fruits. Of course, the rain also means slippery trails, sudden downpours, and fewer visitors on site but with your support, the elephants are thriving and gaining back the weight they lost in the dry season.

Thanks to you, they’ve had nourishing food, daily care, and thorough health checks. Our wonderful vet, Dr. Trish, even came to visit this quarter to give every elephant a full examination. We couldn’t do any of this without you, and we’re so grateful.

Here is a short update for each elephant.

Pearl (Gee Pael)
Pearl’s leg has healed so well that if you saw her on a forest walk, you might not even notice she’d ever had an injury! Norm now trims her feet regularly (thanks to training from Steve, the footcare specialist), and Pearl stays calm and cooperative through the process. Her scars are healing, her abscesses are clearing, and Pearl’s steady progress and gentle spirit are a joy to witness, and we’re grateful to support her ongoing wellbeing.

Ruby (Nung Bra)
Ruby gave us some worries earlier this year with her digestive troubles, but she’s bounced back beautifully. With hydration-rich fruits and gentle foods added to her diet, she’s regained her strength. We often see her near Pearl, they’re not best friends, but they clearly enjoy each other’s quiet company. Ruby’s eyes are stable, and her calm, gentle energy is a daily gift.

Gee Chreng
At the start of May, she experienced some digestive discomfort, which appeared to be related to tooth pain. We saw pumpkin skins in her stool, along with her hesitation to eat hard foods, signaled the need for closer attention and dietary adjustments. Our team responded by modifying her meals by cooking the pumpkin with soft rice and introducing tamarind to help her digestion. By mid-May, Gee Chreng was back to her lively self. Following training with our consultant Steve, Gee Chreng has been working closely with Norm on training sessions focused on foot lifting and target behaviors. This training is going well and she now lifts her front feet. This is a big achievement given the fact she was afraid of the targetpole to begin with. 

Hen
Hen is doing well. While the abscess on his face isn’t completely healed and still needs monitoring and occasional cleaning, it’s far from what it once was. His old hip injury is stable, and he now walks with more ease and less pain. We could even stop his hot water compresses during the summer. A few weeks ago we saw him blowing mud in his tusk socket regularly, so we have started to flush this again to make sure it doesn't give him any discomfort. Hen is a quiet elephant who enjoys his own space, but he trusts his mahouts deeply. They let them do his treatment calmly, but always in exchange for a nice snack.  Because a wild bull was hanging around in his valley, we moved him to another area for safety in May. He adapted quickly and continued his usual habits.

Ning Wan
Ning Wan is our oldest elephant, but still she is the fastest walker. She leads the forest walks, and Gee Chreng always follows close behind. Their bond is very deep, and they are almost always together.  She was a little stressed when Gee Chreng wasn't feeling well, so there were lots of reassuring squeaks and touches from our beautiful old matriarch to make sure her friend was ok. She is still enjoying her daily supplemental food. This not only ensures she receives the nutrients she needs but also allows her to eat comfortably. Her anticipation for mealtimes is amazing, she recognizes the sound of the food delivery motorbike from far and eagerly positions herself to be seen so she won't miss out on her breakfast or dinner. 

Darling
Darling loves the rainy season and is enjoying the fresh bamboo and almond fruits that are found almost everywhere in the forest. However we are starting to see bigger fibers in her dung, and longer chewing times, showing this gal is also starting to show her age. Norm is working closely with her and her companion Doe on daily training sessions that focus on trust-building, foot lifts, and target interaction. These exercises are not only great for their mental stimulation, but they’re also essential for preparing the elephants for any future medical care or footwork. Darling is responding beautifully. We’re proud of her progress and look forward to seeing her continue to build strength, trust, and connection in the months to come. 

Doe
Like her friend, Doe is also making great progress in training. Sometimes even offering to lift her foot without being asked, just to see if she can earn a treat! We’ve seen steady progress as she becomes more confident and relaxed in each session. These are important skills for future veterinary checks, and we have also already been able to do some trimming on her nails. We are hoping to start with her hind legs soon. She’s relaxed, curious, and a clever forager who loves pulling down vines and munching on fresh bamboo. Watching her explore reminds us why this sanctuary is so important.

Looking Ahead
The rainy season brings fewer visitors, but your support keeps the forest alive with elephants who are safe, nourished, and cared for. Every single fruit, treatment, and moment of progress is made possible by you.

From our hearts, thank you.
Because of your generosity, these elephants live with dignity, safety, and peace. We are endlessly grateful for your kindness and your belief in our mission.

Lots of love,

Elephant Valley Project Team

Links:

• Save Doe & Darling