InsightSabah : A sanctuary to better protect Sabah’s Borneo elephants

The first phase of the Bornean Elephant Sanctuary project, which costs RM1.8 million, has now been completed. This project was undertaken by the Borneo Conservation Trust.

According to the Trust’s head of conservation and research, Raymond Alfred, the first phase of the sanctuary project was funded by their conservation partners from Japan, namely the Asahiyama Zoo, Suraya, Hunting World, Tokio Marine, NTT Data Kirin, Taiseh and Yusen Logistics. They described this joint-venture project as 'ongaeshi' – ‘giving back to nature’.The completed project comprises an elephant handling paddock, staff quarters and a storage building.

Alfred said the second phase of the sanctuary costing between RM25 million and RM30 million on a 25-hectare land has already begun and is expected to be completed by year end."For this project, the Malaysia Palm Oil Council (MPOC) has already allocated RM5.2 million.," Alfred said.

He added that the MPOC is also providing financial support for the preparation of the Borneo Elephant Sanctuary master plan covering Lot 8 of the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary. Alfred explained that MPOC's contribution and support for the project was very important, as the delineation of the project is likely to involve some land acquisition as well as negotiations with oil palm companies that were found to have encroached into riparian reserves.


Malay Version

Fasa pertama projek Santuari Gajah Borneo yang menelan kos RM1.8 juta, kini sudah selesai. Projek ini dilaksanakan oleh Conservation Trust Borneo.

Menurut ketua pemuliharaan dan penyelidikan Trust, Raymond Alfred, fasa pertama projek perlindungan itu dibiayai oleh rakan-rakan pemuliharaan mereka dari Jepun iaitu Zoo Asahiyama, Suraya, Hunting World, Tokio Marine, NTT Data Kirin, Taiseh dan Yusen Logistik . Mereka menyifatkan projek usahasama ini sebagai 'ongaeshi' - 'memberi kembali kepada alam semula jadi'. Projek siap terdiri daripada cara mengendalikan gajah, kuarters kakitangan dan bangunan penyimpanan.

Alfred berkata, fasa kedua santuari berharga di antara RM25 juta dan RM30 juta di atas tanah seluas 25 hektar dan sudah bermula dan dijangka siap menjelang akhir tahun ini. "Bagi projek ini, Majlis Minyak Sawit Malaysia (MPOC) sudah memperuntukkan RM5.2 juta," kata Alfred.

Beliau berkata, MPOC juga menyediakan sokongan kewangan untuk menyediakan pelan induk Borneo Elephant Sanctuary yang meliputi Lot 8 daripada Santuari Perlindungan Hidupan Liar Kinabatangan. Alfred menjelaskan, sumbangan dan sokongan MPOC untuk projek ini adalah sangat penting, memandangkan persempadanan projek itu mungkin membabitkan pengambilan tanah serta rundingan dengan syarikat-syarikat kelapa sawit yang didapati menceroboh dalam rizab riparian.....- Insight Sabah