KOTA KINABALU: Datuk Christina Liew, the Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister, suggests that the free-roaming wild Bornean elephants in Sabah’s southern Kalabakan district could be developed as an eco-tourism attraction. Liew believes that the district, which shares a border with Indonesia’s Kalimantan, has the potential to attract more international tourists, especially with the relocation of the Indonesian capital to Nusantara in Kalimantan. She emphasizes that Bornean elephants are a major draw in Sabah’s tourism industry and highlights the opportunity to establish Kalabakan as another location for eco-tourism, alongside existing areas such as the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, Tabin Wildlife Reserve, Danum Valley Conservation Area, and Maliau Basin.
Liew acknowledges the presence of freely roaming elephants in Kalabakan and explains that with collective efforts to care for and protect these critically endangered animals, it is possible for the district to become a tourist destination. She emphasizes how such development would contribute to the conservation of the species. Liew made these remarks during a speech at the state-level 2023 World Elephant Day Celebration in Kalabakan on September 15. As she could not attend the event, her speech was delivered by Murad Abdul Rashid, the Ministry’s principal senior assistant secretary.
Liew further mentions the various awareness programs held since July to commemorate World Elephant Day. These programs primarily targeted students and teachers in the Tawau district, engaged with the community in Tongod, and featured the Elephant Day Festival in the Beluran district. These events attracted a total of 2,640 participants. The objective of these awareness programs is to promote the protection of elephants against critical threats and express gratitude to all conservation partners actively involved in conserving Bornean Elephants.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, the Bornean Elephant is classified as endangered wildlife and is fully protected by Sabah law. The estimated population of Bornean Elephants in the Central and East Coast of Sabah is merely 1,500. Liew highlights that the species faces numerous threats, primarily due to shrinking habitat areas resulting from changes in land use within Sabah.
There have been reported cases of elephant deaths in Sabah closely linked to conflicts between elephants and humans, particularly in plantations and human settlements. To address these issues, Liew’s ministry, together with the Sabah Wildlife Department, has implemented short-term and long-term management plans in alignment with the Bornean Elephant Action Plan (2020-2029). The goal is to ensure the sustainability of the Bornean Elephant population and promote the well-being of the people. Liew emphasizes that elephants require extensive areas for their movement, food search, and ecological existence.
Overall, Liew’s proposal to develop the free-roaming wild Bornean elephants in Kalabakan as an eco-tourism attraction is driven by the desire to contribute to species conservation and boost tourism in Sabah, particularly in light of the anticipated relocation of the Indonesian capital. This proposal aligns with the ongoing efforts to raise awareness about the threats faced by Bornean elephants and appreciate the conservation partners involved in their protection.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
