Asian elephant Microsatellite raw fragment files produced from faecal samples collected in the Prey Lang Extended Landscape, Cambodia

Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) populations are declining and becoming increasingly fragmented. In central-northern Cambodia, the Prey Lang Extended Landscape (PLEL) encompasses a vast area composed largely of lowland evergreen and semi-evergreen forest, with the potential to support Asian elephant population recovery in the country.

To inform effective landscape-level conservation planning, this study provides the first reliable population size estimate for Asian elephants in PLEL, based on non-invasive genetic sampling during the 2020-2021 dry season in three protected areas: Prey Lang, Preah Roka and Chhaeb Wildlife Sanctuaries. Further, it provides an assessment of the species’ range, habitat suitability and connectivity within the landscape.

Thirty-five unique genotypes (individuals) were identified, of which 6 were detected in both Chhaeb and Preah Roka Wildlife Sanctuaries, providing evidence that elephants move readily between these neighbouring protected areas. However, no unique genotypes were shared between Chhaeb/Preah Roka and the less functionally connected southerly Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary. The southern population is estimated to number 31 (95% CI: 24-41) individuals. The Preah Roka / Chhaeb Wildlife Sanctuaries or northern population is estimated to number 20 (95% CI: 13-22) individuals.

Habitat loss is prevalent both outside and inside the three protected areas however large swathes of suitable elephant habitat remain within the landscape. Fragmentation has occurred and connectivity outside of these protected areas is very limited. While restoring the ability of elephants to move between Preah Rokar/Chhaeb and Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuaries would represent an ideal scenario, the practicality of implementing such a restoration project is challenging. We recommend protection of remaining suitable habitat and reduction of threats and disturbance to elephants within these areas should be top priorities as the landscape holds the potential to be restored to a national stronghold for this flagship species, in turn resulting in the protection of a vast array of biodiversity.

Methods
The dataset was generated from Asian elephant faecal samples collected in the Prey Lang Extended Landscape, Cambodia. The microsatellites were PCR amplified in multiplex sets and flourescently labelled primers were used to visualise the fragment sizes on an ABI Genetic Analyzer. These files are those generated by the ABI fragment analysis.