Efforts are being made to establish a wildlife corridor in the Lahad Datu district of Sabah, Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd (KLK) and WWF-Malaysia are collaborating to connect the Tabin Wildlife Reserve (WR) and the Silabukan Forest Reserve (FR), which will promote biodiversity conservation and ecological connectivity within the Tabin Landscape.
Tabin WR harbors the largest population of orangutans in the eastern lowlands, approximately 1,200 individuals, and is surrounded by oil palm plantations. The corridor will serve as a lifeline for species’ movements by connecting Tabin WR with the isolated Silabukan FR, which houses a small orangutan population.
Dr. Robecca Jumin, head of conservation for Sabah at WWF-Malaysia, commended KLK for taking this significant initiative, which sets a new precedent for corporate responsibility. She expressed hope that more companies in the palm oil industry would follow suit and recognize the importance of biodiversity and habitat restoration.
KLK Sabah’s senior general manager, Dinakaran Madhavan, stated that conservation and preserving biodiversity were among their key priorities. Their sustainability commitments include no new development on peat, adhering to the high conservation value (HCV) and high carbon stock (HCS) approach. They aim to create a sustainable ecosystem that ensures the survival of wildlife and maintains essential life-supporting systems.
WWF-Malaysia’s recent surveys underline the conservation significance of Tabin WR, demonstrating the remarkable regeneration of an area that was heavily logged for timber. It also serves as a sanctuary for other Bornean endemic species, including Bornean elephants (350), banteng (50), and Sunda clouded leopards (40).
The five-year project, initiated with a tree planting ceremony at Ladang Bukit Tabin, will establish the physical wildlife corridor. The initial phase will prioritize planting fast-growing native pioneer species and fig trees as a food source for wildlife. KLK has co-funded the project and dedicated 7.1ha of oil palm land, which they will continue to maintain.
Funded by Beiersdorf AG, a German multinational company that manufactures personal-care products like Nivea, this project enhances restoration activities under the WWF-Malaysia Sabah Landscapes Programme. It aims to improve connectivity and establish wildlife corridors in Sabah.
This partnership represents a significant stride in safeguarding Sabah’s diverse biodiversity and showcases the potential of the living landscapes approach, which integrates protection, production, and restoration efforts to achieve holistic conservation.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
