Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre

A large forest sanctuary for rescued sun bears, gibbons, elephants and tigers, many of them saved from trafficking.

Area

Day trips

Start from

Phnom Penh

Distance

about 40 km south

Time needed

1 day

Best season

All year; mornings when animals are active

Difficulty

Easy

Transport

Car or tuk-tuk along National Road 2

Tickets & rules

Entry ticket for foreign visitors (around 10 USD, check current price)

Why go

Phnom Tamao is not a zoo in the usual sense. It is a rescue centre in a large area of regenerating forest, where wild animals taken from traffickers, illegal pet trades and snares are cared for. Many of them cannot be released back to the wild, and they live here in large enclosures.

You walk or drive through the forest from enclosure to enclosure: sun bears playing in the trees, gibbons singing in the morning, elephants bathing, tigers sleeping in the shade, pileated gibbons, macaques and many birds. Some animals here have extraordinary stories of rescue.

It is a good choice for families and anyone who loves animals, and it offers a hopeful view of Cambodian conservation.

The story

The rescue centre was established in the 1990s by the Cambodian Forestry Administration, and for many years it has worked closely with the conservation organisation Wildlife Alliance. Together they have rescued thousands of animals from illegal trade.

Cambodia’s wildlife has been heavily affected by hunting, trade and habitat loss. Sun bears are hunted for their gall bladders, pangolins are trafficked for their scales, and gibbons and other primates are sold as pets. Phnom Tamao gives these animals a home and supports education and law enforcement.

Among the most famous residents is Chhouk, an elephant who lost a foot in a snare as a baby and was later fitted with a prosthetic leg. His story has been followed by many visitors over the years.

The centre also runs breeding and release programmes for some species, in partnership with protected areas elsewhere in Cambodia.

Getting there

The centre lies about forty kilometres south of Phnom Penh along National Road 2, past Tonle Bati. A car takes around an hour; a tuk-tuk longer. The site is large, so some visitors hire a driver with a car or motorbike to move between enclosures.

Some organisations offer behind-the-scenes tours where part of the fee supports the animals.

A suggested plan

1. 7:30 amLeave Phnom Penh early to arrive when the animals are active.
2. MorningWalk through the forest past the gibbons, bears, elephants and tigers.
3. Late morningVisit the bird and reptile areas, and the education centre.
4. LunchEat at the small stalls near the entrance.
5. AfternoonReturn to Phnom Penh, stopping at Tonle Bati on the way.

Where to stay

Visit from Phnom Penh.

Good to know

• Bring water and wear comfortable shoes; the site is large.
• Mornings are best for seeing active animals and hearing gibbons.
• Consider a supported tour; the fee helps the animals.
• Don’t feed the animals unless guided by staff.