Malaysia’s conservationist protects Borneo’s elephants
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In Sabah, Malaysia, conservationist Farina Othman and her team at Seratu Aatai are working to protect Bornean elephants, a species with only around 1,000 individuals remaining, by reducing conflict with local communities.
For the past 40 years, these elephants have lost over 60% of their habitat to logging and oil palm plantations, pushing them into increasingly fragmented areas.
Farina’s team tranquilizes elephants like “Pigtail” to attach tracking collars, alerting villagers when the animals approach and gathering data for a program to establish safe pathways between forest patches. The team focuses on coexistence, running outreach programs in schools and training community wildlife guardians to guide elephants away from homes without causing harm. Residents like Firah Kazenn report that these efforts have increased safety and community involvement in conservation.
Farina hopes to persuade plantation owners to create “elephant corridors” through their land, connecting remaining habitats. While some producers are hesitant due to economic pressures, industry groups acknowledge the need for sustainable practices and mutually beneficial solutions. Farina is shifting the local language surrounding elephants, encouraging people to think of “escorting” rather than “chasing away” the animals, signaling a change in attitudes.
