Mahout is a keeper and trainer of elephants. Ling could be the first and will probably be the last female mahout in Cambodia. Due to heavy deforestation in the eastern part of the country elephants are being forced to move on and adjust to new habitats. At the same time the social function of a mahout disappears as new modes of transportation and labour are replacing the old ones. Mahouts are also being accused of cruelty to elephants by forcing them to entertain tourists.