KOTA KINABALU: WWF-Malaysia has reminded the people to play a role in ensuring the continued survival of the Bornean elephants.
In conjunction with World Elephant Day tomorrow, the non-governmental organisation (NGO) said the elephant population was threatened by a loss of habitat and ever increasing incidences of human-elephant conflict.
Every year, a significant number of Bornean elephants are found dead, due to retaliatory killing, suspected chronic poisoning, natural causes, disease, and poaching.
"The elephants are also threatened by poachers looking to make a handsome profit of its tusks. Even when not an intended target, the elephant also falls victim to snares set by poachers to capture smaller animals.
"With so many threats stacked up against them, the future of some 1,500 Bornean elephants that are left in the forests of Sabah remains uncertain," it said in a statement.
WWF-Malaysia said everyone - be it the government, corporate companies and civil society - has an equal role to play.
The equal sharing of responsibility is reflected in WWF-Malaysia's Living Landscapes approach, where its pillars of Protect, Produce and Restore seeks to combine conservation and sustainable development via the protection of forests, wildlife and rivers, the production of Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil certified oil palm, and the restoration of ecological corridors and riparian reserves.
"The government, for its part, has worked together with various NGOs including WWF-Malaysia through the Elephant Task Force to develop strategies to address the deaths of the elephants.
"The state-wide 10-year Bornean Elephant Action Plan (2020-2029) endorsed by the state government in 2020 provides direction to protect and conserve the species which is endemic to the island.
"Amongst others, the action plan details strategies that focus on strengthening the protection of elephants from killings, enhancing habitat connectivity, ensuring best practices in managing elephants as well as research, monitoring and predicting elephant population trends.:
"Additionally, an Endangered Species Conservation Unit will also be established by the Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) to monitor the implementation of all species action plans, including Bornean elephants."
As for corporate companies and plantations, although more of them are stepping up and allocating resources to conserve elephants, much more needs to be done.
For larger plantations, they should consider implementing pre-emptive long-term mitigation plans by incorporating elephant requirements into land use plans and working together with neighbouring plantations to develop joint solutions.
These plans include the establishment of wider riparian buffers and the placement of integrated electric fences at the landscape level so that these fences do not hamper the movement of elephants to access larger forest patches.
"Additionally, plantation owners can consider allowing elephants into certain parts of their land such as mature palm tree areas where damages are minimal and fencing off other vulnerable areas (young palm trees and settlements).
"For its part, the government through the Sabah Forestry Department and Sabah Wildlife Department as well as NGOs like WWF-Malaysia will be able to support corporate companies by providing the necessary technical recommendations.
"Furthermore, plantation owners should consider adopting more sustainable agricultural practices such as proper application, storage and disposal of chemicals," it said, adding companies should also report any suspicious activities or any elephants injured in their area to the authorities.
It is the same for smallholders and local communities living within elephant ranges who can help to inform the nearest Sabah Wildlife Department office of incidents where elephants are potentially endangering their life or crops and property.
WWF-Malaysia added that for the public, they can
share about the plight of Bornean elephants, and how to protect them.