Borneo Elephant Sanctuary to be Opened Soon

 "Injured elephants will be treated at this centre before being released into forests and wildlife reserves. Other wildlife will be accepted and treated at this sanctuary, such as sun bears, proboscis monkeys, orangutan, clouded leopards and banteng." - New Straits Times

An elephant sanctuary, namely Borneo Elephant Sanctuary has been built in Kinabatangan. This project was initiated by the Sabah Wildlife Department and non-governmental organization Borneo Conservation Trust (BCT) as part of the Elephant Conservation Action Plan.

The elephant sanctuary is divided into two phases that will see a bigger area turned into a full-fledged sanctuary measuring more than 1,200ha. The first phase of the elephant sanctuary will be opened in September and it is completed with a handling paddock, staff quarters and a store built at a cost of RM1.8 million. The second phase will follow to develop a 25ha plot in the sanctuary with the cost RM5.2 million. The overall cost for the elephant sanctuary will cost up to RM30 million once fully established.

According to BCT conservation and research head, Raymond Alfred said the first phase of the project was financially aided by BCT Japan, Asahiyama Zoo, Saraya, Hunting World, Tokio Marine, NTT Data Kirin, Taiseh and Yusen Logistics. Meanwhile, second phase is aided by the Malaysian Palm Oil Council.

Borneo Elephant Sanctuary will serve as a centre to rescue and treat injured or displaced elephants, along with conducting awareness programmes and activities. A forested area has also been identified for rehabilitated elephants to be released into. Between 12 and 16 elephants could be catered in the first two phases of the programme said Sabah Wildlife Department director, Datuk Dr Laurentius Ambu.

The effort to build a sanctuary for the elephants shows that Sabah state government and NGO are cooperating well to protect the endangered animals. Let us hope more initiatives to protect Sabah's nature and wildlife turn into reality.

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Pilot project to secure Sabah Mega Biodiversity

Sabah Mega Biodiversity to be Secured

KOTA KINABALU: The Borneo Conservation Trust (BCT) with the support from relevant government department (i.e. Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD)) are in the midst of preparing a five to 10 years programme as a pilot project to manage multiple-use forest landscape and secure the Sabah Mega Biodiversity in Gunung Rara and Kalabakan.

Borneo Conservation Trust (BCT) conservation and research head, Raymond Alfred said in a statement that under the programme, each plantation would be needed to establish their own wildlife conservation unit.

Among others, the programme aims to initiative a monitoring programme to assess the status of elephants population. It also hopes to start the honorary wildlife warden programme as well as manage and restore degraded forests corridor, particularly those within the DaMaI (Danum Valley, Maliau Basin and Imbak Canyon) corridor.

Additionally through the programme, they also hoped to initiative enforcement using MIST and provide mitigation training and management measures to reduce human – elephant conflicts, he said.

Aside from that, the sustainable practice in multiple use forest management landscape would also be initiated. The programme shall also provide support to the “Kejora” cost of living and medical requirements in Lok Kawi zoo.

“BCT is now in discussion with our relevant key partners to materialize the 10 years programme. We hope to get the support from the State Government and relevant departments in charge of Tourism and Plantations,” he said.

Source: Borneo Post

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