KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Wildlife Department (JHL), in collaboration with key stakeholders, will launch an in-enclosure elephant management plan in the state, in conjunction with the symposium on pygmy elephant conservation efforts, on April 9.
JHL said that the action plan outlines the necessary strategies and measures for effective management of elephants in captivity in the state.
“The symposium will bring together stakeholders, government agencies, the public, and non-governmental organisations involved in wildlife conservation, with approximately 100 participants expected to attend,” said JHL in a statement.
The three-day symposium will also review the implementation of the Bornean Elephant Action Plan (BEAP) 2020-2029 for the next five years, including any revisions or updates to the existing framework.
In 2020, the Sabah government approved the BEAP 2020-2029, to ensure the long-term survival of the species and prevent their extinction.
The 10-year action plan was approved by the state Cabinet to conserve and protect Sabah’s elephant population, estimated to range between 1,500 and 2,000.
JHL said that the symposium would serve as a platform to reassess the effectiveness of conservation efforts, implemented under the BEAP 2020-2029, and ensure that management strategies align with current challenges.
It is hoped that the symposium will foster consensus among stakeholders, reinforcing their commitment to executing the plan’s outlined actions and ensuring the long-term sustainability of Bornean elephants.
Bornean elephants (Elephas maximus borneensis), are classified as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, due to their small and declining population.
Also known as the Bornean pygmy elephant, this subspecies of the Asian elephant is distinguished by its smaller size, with males growing up to 2.5 metres compared to the mainland Asian elephant’s 3 metres.
The Asian elephant was declared endangered under the IUCN Red List, in an assessment on Sept 18, 2019, and published in 2020; while the subspecies Bornean elephant was declared as endangered under the IUCN Red List, in an assessment on Nov 17 last year and published last year.