The teams set-out again for Chhouk, this time going 3 different directions after a day of rest. (Our elephant and mahout had to go all the way back to Chhouk to get more food and then come back to O’Pley – they definitely must think we are crazy Americans!) Jen, Vong and Max took the road to better get Max on the wild scent. Heath, Oudom, a ranger and Scooby headed out into the woods and Liz, a ranger and Sadie hiked a riverbed.  Leave it to Sadie May to find a boa! At least this time it was only part of a dead one, she definitely makes life interesting.  All 3 teams met-up on the road and took an afternoon snooze while we waited for the truck. Definitely a successful and fun trek.

Vong packing up camp

Finally heading back to town, where we will met up with Heath and Max, another of our Conservation Canines. After two weeks off sleeping in hammocks, the team can not wait to sleep in a bed!

Hiking to camp

Vong and Dua collect scat samples

We had a surprise visit in the afternoon.  While sitting in camp, reading, trying to ignore how hot we are, we hear huge crashing noises coming through the bamboo heading straight for our river! Lo and behold, a herd of wild elephants came through the trees. 12 in total!! With 2 babies!!! It was incredible! Of course, Sadie May has to bark, scaring away the whole herd. I kid you not. Luckily we had a ranger who was quick as a muntjac and headed off after them for a couple of photos. Amazing!

Now we are off to Mereuch to meet with WWF donors and the press! We are definitely excited and nervous! Five international press agencies will join us at Mereuch for a taste of what we do with Scooby and Sadie in the field….

Film day!! Yikes! Jen, Liz, Vong, Oudom and the dogs are interviewed on camera! The dogs did a fantastic job, smiling perfectly for the camera and loving all of the attention. Liz and Jen pulled through and the Cambodian handlers did a great job.

Scooby, Jen and Vong even found a scat for the film crews! Scooby was watching Jen and Vong looking “proud as a peafowl!”

Vong, Jen and Sadie describe their work for the cameras.

That night at Choul came with a little more than we bargained for. As Jen and I were settling down for the evening, eating cookies and contemplating life, we saw in the black of the night a light in the distance. After staring for several minutes, we finally realized it was flashlight. Could this be poachers, loggers or axe murderers (our imaginations were running a little wild)?! We altered the rangers and they set off in pursuit but unfortunately they didn’t find anyone that night.

This water buffalo was caught on camera trap in Mondulkiri

Can you spot the Eld's deer?

Scooby had a record scat day! 24 detections found along low use roads and a dry drainage!! We think they are all leopard but everything counts.  Scooby, while cooling off in a water hole, scared off an otter and a fishing owl.

Sadie found a King cobra!