As the human population expands, more land is being converted to agriculture, so elephant habitat is shrinking day by day, and people and elephants are increasingly coming into contact and conflict with each other.
...and as humans, we should be able to work out a solution and find a way on how we could live peacefully with these gentle giants.
Photo via WWF Malaysia
According to Deputy Director of Sabah Wildlife Department, Dr. Sen Nathan, the department is cooperating with the National Poison Centre in the research and investigation of elephant poisoning in Sabah, which has led to many deaths of these protected animals.
“Every animal in the state is exposed to poison, either from plants, the environment, or the plantation area,” he told BERNAMA.
Fifty to 60 elephants were reported dead in the last 10 years in Sabah caused by poisoning.
Dr. Sen Nathan added that the issue of elephant poisoning in the area is not a major concern as most farms have adopted a farming system that can protect the animals, “What we want to know is whether they were poisoned with intention or not.”
The department will conduct a field study this August to obtain complete data on elephant population in the state, through funds from the Malaysian Palm Oil Council.
Twelve years ago, the population of elephants in Sabah was around 2000, and the largest herd was found in Mount Rara Forest Reserve with up to 600 elephants!
Human-elephants conflict is a serious issue now that the number of dead elephants is on the rise.
Though we may need our space to build new houses and grow our food, these elephants are also losing their home due to human activities…
Over the next few years, this elephant will impart her knowledge of the forest to her calf. She will show it where to...
Posted by WWF-Malaysia on Tuesday, April 16, 2019
So, let’s figure out how we can all live together, peacefully. Sounds good?
By: Aishah Akashah Ahadiat
