The Cambodian Jungle

by Roxaan Hill (Australia)

I didn't expect to find Australia

The sound of thunder rumbling like a herd of elephants charging in my direction suddenly distracted me from reading the novel 'The Alchemist' by Paulo Coelho. As I looked outside my window, a massive crack of lightning lit up the January sky. I was intrigued by the novel that I did not stop to notice a storm was developing after a gorgeous summer's day. With the sound of the rain starting to fall, and the storm settling in, I remembered a sleepless night I had during my adventure to the Cambodian Jungle. It was there, in the protected rainforest, I had my first experience of a real tropical storm. I live in a country where we have incredible storms that fill our harsh landscapes, yet this was something I had never experienced before; fierce and ferocious like the unknown animals out beyond the walls. That memorable night, the lightning blinded the sky, the thunder roared through the acres of native trees, and rain fell like a gushing waterfall. Now, as rain is pouring outside my window, the memories of this night start to flood back to me. I remember the excitement I had for my extraordinary volunteering trip at an ethical sanctuary which helps rescued elephants who have spent years in tourism. This sanctuary was about preserving elephants in their natural habitat. I knew we would be assisting these elephants, but what I didn't recognise is this adventure would also change my life. My views shifted, and with daily tasks around the sanctuary for the elephants to thrive, it opened my mind to how I could help animals. This trip was something unique with a purpose. I remember vividly the very next day, the start of our journey. That morning as the sun rose, before trekking through the depths of the lush rainforest, we ate a delicious breakfast full of fresh local fruits; rich in colour and sweet in taste. Tackling the humid Cambodian air as we trekked into the rainforest deep into the unknown, we walked down a pathway to turn into an open space. Without notice suddenly out of nowhere, an elephant emerged. It was surreal. I couldn't believe my eyes; a majestic female Asian elephant was coming through the bushes on the opposite side, almost as if to see who disrupted her surroundings. As she walked towards us, her large grey ears flapped in the heat, and her strong trunk swayed from left to right. She was mysterious, but I could hear how powerful her body was as she broke through the tree branches as she stepped through her natural habitat. I have seen elephants in a zoo, but nothing compared to this. Out there, there was no barrier between us, yet we kept our distance not to disturb her. There was no one riding her, no basket fastened tightly to her, no one trying to pose with her, or bathe her. She was free. Free as she should be in her own home where this sanctuary was ensuring it was possible. While we admired her from a respectful distance, the programme coordinator informed us of her life story. Her name was Sambo, and she was 55 years old. To hear her heartbreaking story and to learn that all animals have one, just like all of us was astonishing. It was moving to hear she was a real survivor. A survivor of something we humans have caused, an industry that benefited so few, yet had disastrous consequences for so many. I marvelled at Sambo's existence. She was a beautiful and powerful creature navigating her way freely through the protected Jungle. At that very moment, that is where something changed in me; this trip had meant more than I anticipated. As I look back out my window remembering this meaningful trip, the storm had already begun to pass, and the sun started to reappear, but this significant memory has awakened inside of me. I too have a purpose in this world that is my Jungle. It is the time to show the world; elephants need to be respected and admired for the magnificent graceful animals they are. It is time to spread awareness of animal conservation.