Welcome to Elephant News Malaysia. This site is intended to be a public service to those wishing to keep up to date with events and issues affecting elephants in Malaysia.
Showing posts with label elephant conservation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label elephant conservation. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 04, 2018
EXIM bank adopts a handicapped elephant
EXIM Bank today continues with its CSR commitment in the area of elephant conservation, education and elephants’ welfare at the Kuala Gandah National Elephant Conservation Centre (NECC) by adopting a handicapped baby elephant named Elly.
Last year, EXIM Bank refurbished and redesigned the educational materials for Kuala Gandah NECC as well as funding a custom-made prosthetic leg for a 13 year old female elephant, ‘Selendang’.
This year, EXIM Bank goes one step further by adopting the one year old baby Elly and provides her with a prosthetic leg, a new portable paddock for daily mobility exercise and a one-year supply of multivitamins and other supplements. Elly, a 2 year old baby elephant who lost her front lower right foot from a trap laid by illegal hunters was found unconscious at Kg. Sokut Toku, Tanah Merah, Jeli Kelantan. She was then rescued by Terengganu’s Elephant Conservation Centre to receive its early medical treatment before being transferred to NECC for her recovery process.
On hand to launch the adoption program at Kuala Gandah was EXIM Bank’s President/Chief Executive Officer (P/CEO), Puan Norzilah Mohammed witnessed by En. Nasharuddin Othman, Head of Kuala Gandah NECC, followed by a tour around Kuala Gandah NECC and video presentation on the elephants.
Facts about elephants:
Elephants are among the world’s most intelligent, sensitive animals and possess both empathy and self awareness. They live in close family groups that are now being torn apart by increasing number of threats caused by human activities. Their natural habitat and migration routes have been fragmented by development and industrial mono-crops such as palm oil and rubber tree plantations which has destroyed millions of hectares of forest ecosystems.
Elephants are very important to humans and are titled as keystone speciesbecause they create and maintain the ecosystems and make it possible for a myriad of plants and animal species to live in those environments as well. The loss of elephants gravely affects the biodiversity of the environment and causes major habitat chaos. To lose the elephants is to lose an environmental caretaker.
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http://www.focusmalaysia.my/Snippets/exim-bank-adopts-a-handicapped-elephant
Tuesday, January 09, 2018
Yet another endangered Borneo pygmy jumbo found dead in Sabah
KOTA KINABALU: Another critically endangered Borneo pygmy elephant has been found dead even as conservationists call for informants and professional investigators to be engaged to stop the killing.
The elephant, the ninth slain in the last 14 months, was a healthy 12-year-old bull named Liningkung, that was fitted with a satellite collar 18 months ago.
It was found in the Ulu Segama Forest Reserve on Sabah’s east coast on Tuesday.
Rangers discovered its decomposed carcass with the tusks untouched.
Liningkung’s movements were being monitored by DGFC on a weekly basis, Goossens said, and they alerted Sabah Forestry officials on Dec 11 to say that it had not moved since Dec 3.
A team is in the area to carry out a post-mortem.
“It is another sad day for elephant conservation. If this goes on, we might be staring at its extinction,” Goossens said.
There are only about 1,500 elephants left in Sabah’s forests.
This is the third elephant found dead in the same area in the past year.
Goossens said it is vital for a special wildlife enforcement unit to be set up to go after wildlife poachers and traders as suggested by chief conservator of forests Datuk Sam Mannan.
Meanwhile, Marc Acrenaz, scientific director for Sabah-based wildlife research and conservation NGO Hutan, said informers and professional investigators are needed to stop the killing.
“Many years ago, locals killed these animals for food and it was not too serious.
“Now, we see that things have changed and people are poaching for the international trade or killing them because of animal-human conflicts,” he said.
No suspects have been identified in many of these cases, including a recent incident where a bull elephant was shot in the mouth and died of dehydration because it could not eat or drink.
“The authorities lack people on the ground,” Acrenaz said.
“We need a strong team which can identify the culprits and bring them to justice,” he said, adding that the killings might stop then.
For now, Acrenaz said, there are not enough rangers to cover all the places where animals – especially endangered species like the pygmy elephants, orang utan and pangolins – roam.
He said the three main reasons for poaching and killing were conflicts between landowners and animals (especially elephants), poaching of bush meat because of demand by tourists, and the international underground trade in exotic meat and animal parts like ivory and pangolin scales.
Please credit and share this article with others using this link: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/12/14/yet-another-endangered-borneo-pygmy-jumbo-found-dead-in-sabah/
The elephant, the ninth slain in the last 14 months, was a healthy 12-year-old bull named Liningkung, that was fitted with a satellite collar 18 months ago.
It was found in the Ulu Segama Forest Reserve on Sabah’s east coast on Tuesday.
Rangers discovered its decomposed carcass with the tusks untouched.
Liningkung’s movements were being monitored by DGFC on a weekly basis, Goossens said, and they alerted Sabah Forestry officials on Dec 11 to say that it had not moved since Dec 3.
A team is in the area to carry out a post-mortem.
“It is another sad day for elephant conservation. If this goes on, we might be staring at its extinction,” Goossens said.
There are only about 1,500 elephants left in Sabah’s forests.
This is the third elephant found dead in the same area in the past year.
Goossens said it is vital for a special wildlife enforcement unit to be set up to go after wildlife poachers and traders as suggested by chief conservator of forests Datuk Sam Mannan.
Meanwhile, Marc Acrenaz, scientific director for Sabah-based wildlife research and conservation NGO Hutan, said informers and professional investigators are needed to stop the killing.
“Many years ago, locals killed these animals for food and it was not too serious.
“Now, we see that things have changed and people are poaching for the international trade or killing them because of animal-human conflicts,” he said.
No suspects have been identified in many of these cases, including a recent incident where a bull elephant was shot in the mouth and died of dehydration because it could not eat or drink.
“The authorities lack people on the ground,” Acrenaz said.
“We need a strong team which can identify the culprits and bring them to justice,” he said, adding that the killings might stop then.
For now, Acrenaz said, there are not enough rangers to cover all the places where animals – especially endangered species like the pygmy elephants, orang utan and pangolins – roam.
He said the three main reasons for poaching and killing were conflicts between landowners and animals (especially elephants), poaching of bush meat because of demand by tourists, and the international underground trade in exotic meat and animal parts like ivory and pangolin scales.
Please credit and share this article with others using this link: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/12/14/yet-another-endangered-borneo-pygmy-jumbo-found-dead-in-sabah/
Saturday, October 14, 2017
Malaysia: Sabah Officials Seek Tougher Laws Against Wildlife Poachers
Authorities in Malaysia’s Sabah state said Friday they would press for tougher wildlife laws to battle armed poachers after photos of carcasses of green turtles and Bornean Pygmy elephants were posted online and caught the attention of conservationists.
Sabah, on Borneo island, borders the Malaysian state of Sarawak and Indonesia’s Kalimantan province. It is also home to many endemic wildlife species, such as orangutan and rhinoceros.
Last month, villagers said they discovered the skeletal remains of about 100 green turtles scattered on the beaches on Bum-Bum Island near Semporna, a small town in Sabah. Residents also found two decomposed adult Bornean Pygmy elephants in different locations.
Masidi Manjun, Sabah’s environment and tourism minister, said his department was considering amending the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997, a regional law that aims to protect endangered species in Sabah by imposing severe penalties on poachers.
The amendment would give wildlife laws more bite by changing the way cases play out in court and placing the burden of proof on the accused to present evidence proving one’s innocence.
“With the amendment, it means the accused will have to prove he didn’t kill it [the endangered wildlife animal] because at this point of time, the prosecutors have to come up with evidence to prove a person is guilty and this is not easy,” Masidi told reporters.
Sabah’s Forestry Department said poaching in the state had reached “pandemic proportions” and armed poachers encountered at checkpoints were often masked “and willing and able to inflict harm” on forestry guards.
“Although Forestry Department staff are armed, this is purely for self-protection and they are reluctant to use their licensed firearms against the poachers,” the department said in a statement posted on the homepage of its website. “Besides that, it is to avoid a firefight with the poachers which may result in an ugly scene.”
“The seriousness of this menace needs a concerted effort in unison, starting with the prosecution of the known and big-time perpetrators,” the statement said.
Authorities have arrested and detained at least three people on suspicion of involvement in the multiple slaughter of protected turtles. Officials said poachers would often remove the turtle meat, eggs and soft under shell before leaving the bones and hard-top shell.
Two Indonesian men have also been detained to assist authorities in the killings of the two elephants, officials said.
To read the full article, click on the story title
Sabah, on Borneo island, borders the Malaysian state of Sarawak and Indonesia’s Kalimantan province. It is also home to many endemic wildlife species, such as orangutan and rhinoceros.
Last month, villagers said they discovered the skeletal remains of about 100 green turtles scattered on the beaches on Bum-Bum Island near Semporna, a small town in Sabah. Residents also found two decomposed adult Bornean Pygmy elephants in different locations.
Masidi Manjun, Sabah’s environment and tourism minister, said his department was considering amending the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997, a regional law that aims to protect endangered species in Sabah by imposing severe penalties on poachers.
The amendment would give wildlife laws more bite by changing the way cases play out in court and placing the burden of proof on the accused to present evidence proving one’s innocence.
“With the amendment, it means the accused will have to prove he didn’t kill it [the endangered wildlife animal] because at this point of time, the prosecutors have to come up with evidence to prove a person is guilty and this is not easy,” Masidi told reporters.
Sabah’s Forestry Department said poaching in the state had reached “pandemic proportions” and armed poachers encountered at checkpoints were often masked “and willing and able to inflict harm” on forestry guards.
“Although Forestry Department staff are armed, this is purely for self-protection and they are reluctant to use their licensed firearms against the poachers,” the department said in a statement posted on the homepage of its website. “Besides that, it is to avoid a firefight with the poachers which may result in an ugly scene.”
“The seriousness of this menace needs a concerted effort in unison, starting with the prosecution of the known and big-time perpetrators,” the statement said.
Authorities have arrested and detained at least three people on suspicion of involvement in the multiple slaughter of protected turtles. Officials said poachers would often remove the turtle meat, eggs and soft under shell before leaving the bones and hard-top shell.
Two Indonesian men have also been detained to assist authorities in the killings of the two elephants, officials said.
To read the full article, click on the story title
Saturday, September 09, 2017
Customs: Malaysia not the only transit point for wildlife smuggling
KOTA KINABALU: Malaysia is not the only transit point in South-East Asia being used by international syndicates to smuggle wildlife, says Customs Department director-general Datuk Seri Subromaniam Tholasy (pix).
He said the perception that Malaysian ports were key transit points for wildlife smuggling was not true, but rather, this indicated Customs' many successes against smugglers here.
"We know that smugglers are using other ports in neighbouring countries. I do not want to name but they are not taking the action that we are taking," he told reporters after witnessing the handing over of duties from retiring Sabah Customs director Datuk Janathan Kondok to his successor Datuk Hamzah Sundang, the current Kuala Lumpur International Airport director.
Subromaniam was referring to the successes by Customs in Sabah, which seized some 8,000 tonnes of pangolin scales on transit at the Sepangar port here and also the seizure of ivory through KLIA in July.
He stressed that the smugglers were not only using Malaysian ports, but also those in neighbouring countries, which go undetected.
On the seizure of RM100mil worth of pangolin scales, he confirmed that the scales were on transit to China but declined to reveal the country of origin.
"We are still investigating. I can't reveal much," he said, adding that they expect to charge a 43-year-old local suspect for smuggling banned goods.
However, he said that the Sabah Wildlife Department was also free to take action against the suspect under the state's wildlife conservation laws.
"We will act under Customs laws. The Wildlife Department can also act against him using protection laws. These are two separate offences so we have no problem with them taking action against the suspect," he added.
The Customs' seizures of elephant tusks and pangolin scales had raised concerns that Malaysia had become a transit point for wildlife parts that fetch high value in China and Indo-China countries.
Tusks and other body parts of elephants are prized for decoration as talismans and for use in traditional medicine, while pangolin scales were considered aphrodisiacs.
Please credit and share this article with others using this link:http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/08/28/customs-malaysia-not-the-only-transit-point-for-wildlife-smuggling/#rbDz3KotwelOlIuh.99
He said the perception that Malaysian ports were key transit points for wildlife smuggling was not true, but rather, this indicated Customs' many successes against smugglers here.
"We know that smugglers are using other ports in neighbouring countries. I do not want to name but they are not taking the action that we are taking," he told reporters after witnessing the handing over of duties from retiring Sabah Customs director Datuk Janathan Kondok to his successor Datuk Hamzah Sundang, the current Kuala Lumpur International Airport director.
Subromaniam was referring to the successes by Customs in Sabah, which seized some 8,000 tonnes of pangolin scales on transit at the Sepangar port here and also the seizure of ivory through KLIA in July.
He stressed that the smugglers were not only using Malaysian ports, but also those in neighbouring countries, which go undetected.
On the seizure of RM100mil worth of pangolin scales, he confirmed that the scales were on transit to China but declined to reveal the country of origin.
"We are still investigating. I can't reveal much," he said, adding that they expect to charge a 43-year-old local suspect for smuggling banned goods.
However, he said that the Sabah Wildlife Department was also free to take action against the suspect under the state's wildlife conservation laws.
"We will act under Customs laws. The Wildlife Department can also act against him using protection laws. These are two separate offences so we have no problem with them taking action against the suspect," he added.
The Customs' seizures of elephant tusks and pangolin scales had raised concerns that Malaysia had become a transit point for wildlife parts that fetch high value in China and Indo-China countries.
Tusks and other body parts of elephants are prized for decoration as talismans and for use in traditional medicine, while pangolin scales were considered aphrodisiacs.
Please credit and share this article with others using this link:http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/08/28/customs-malaysia-not-the-only-transit-point-for-wildlife-smuggling/#rbDz3KotwelOlIuh.99
Sunday, September 03, 2017
Digital devices to track elephants, news for World Elephant Day
Digital trackers are being used to follow the movement of elephants, as part of conservation projects and to protect elephants from poachers. This digital innovation is timely for World Elephant Day.
Tracking the spatial ecology of elephants is proving to be an effective approach, National Geographic reports, to develop new solutions for maintaining and protecting elephant populations and their environment. An example is with the use of radio collars.
Radio equipped technology allows for the near-instantaneous observation of the GPS location of an elephant. Data are transmitted via satellite and the signals are interpreted by sophisticated software algorithms which monitor incoming elephant movement datastreams. Information, such as alerting that elephants that become unnaturally immobile, allows responses by those engaged in elephant conservation to be quicker. This could lead, for instance, to catching poachers.
Such technology has been used in parts of Africa for the past two or three years, and the use is expanding. Recently it was reported that latest GPS and satellite communication technology developed by The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus (UNMC) and the Malaysian Department of Wildlife and National Parks was to be used to help follow Malaysian elephants.
Please credit and share this article with others using this link: http://www.digitaljournal.com/tech-and-science/technology/digital-devices-to-track-elephants-news-for-world-elephant-day/article/499827
Tracking the spatial ecology of elephants is proving to be an effective approach, National Geographic reports, to develop new solutions for maintaining and protecting elephant populations and their environment. An example is with the use of radio collars.
Radio equipped technology allows for the near-instantaneous observation of the GPS location of an elephant. Data are transmitted via satellite and the signals are interpreted by sophisticated software algorithms which monitor incoming elephant movement datastreams. Information, such as alerting that elephants that become unnaturally immobile, allows responses by those engaged in elephant conservation to be quicker. This could lead, for instance, to catching poachers.
Such technology has been used in parts of Africa for the past two or three years, and the use is expanding. Recently it was reported that latest GPS and satellite communication technology developed by The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus (UNMC) and the Malaysian Department of Wildlife and National Parks was to be used to help follow Malaysian elephants.
Please credit and share this article with others using this link: http://www.digitaljournal.com/tech-and-science/technology/digital-devices-to-track-elephants-news-for-world-elephant-day/article/499827
Thursday, August 24, 2017
Sabah minister decries wildlife poachers as ‘traitors’
Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said illegal wildlife traders willing to serve up the state’s animals for the exotic meat trade were betraying the country.
He said such people were not just abusing the state’s pride and blessings, but also contributing to wildlife extinction here.
“If there are Sabahans doing this, then they are traitors who are doing a great disservice to their own state and country,” he said.
He was commenting on reports that unscrupulous parties were serving exotic meat from creatures such as pangolins, which are believed to have medicinal to tourists, for a hefty profit.
Masidi said that Sabah was among the most privileged places in the world, and blessed with exotic and abundant flora and fauna that has become the state’s source of pride and resources.
“To do this to our wildlife shows that they are not patriotic and betraying their country and those who have worked so hard at conserving our natural treasures,” he said.
Sabah’s wildlife like pangolins, sun bears, rhinoceros, elephants and orangutan have been under heavy pressure from human wildlife conflict like development, hunting, and the illegal pet trade.
Most recently, Indonesian authorities seized a 2.7kg elephant tusk from an Indonesian migrant worker travelling from Tawau to Kalimantan at the Nunukan port last week in the second similar case this year.
Conservationists fear that the tusks belong to Sabah’s Bornean Pygmy Elephants, a rare and endangered species of elephants that is struggling to maintain its habitat among Sabah’s rapid growth rate and plantation industries.
The carrier of the tusks claimed that they were bought for RM1,500 from a seller in Kota Kinabalu and was being taken to his hometown in Kalimantan for a traditional ceremony as a dowry.
“I’ve actually heard of this custom, from Timorese people. Some women told me they came here to work and raise money for their brother’s dowry of an elephant’s tusk. So this could be true. But it could also be used for other purposes. The fact is we cannot be sure of anything unless we actually catch them red-handed,” he said.
Masidi said that the government was concerned over the recent incident and raised questions about the tusk’s origins.
“But it has never been established that it was from here. We know it is probable, but we need to prove it,” he said adding that he has instructed his department to meet their counterparts in Indonesia to investigate the matter and obtain DNA samples of the tusk.
“If it is true that the tusks from here, we’ll obviously need to increase our border security and figure out how they got pass Malaysian checkpoints,” he said.
Read more at http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/sabah-minister-decries-wildlife-poachers-as-traitors#61C0t5MDXWDgqckl.99
He said such people were not just abusing the state’s pride and blessings, but also contributing to wildlife extinction here.
“If there are Sabahans doing this, then they are traitors who are doing a great disservice to their own state and country,” he said.
He was commenting on reports that unscrupulous parties were serving exotic meat from creatures such as pangolins, which are believed to have medicinal to tourists, for a hefty profit.
Masidi said that Sabah was among the most privileged places in the world, and blessed with exotic and abundant flora and fauna that has become the state’s source of pride and resources.
“To do this to our wildlife shows that they are not patriotic and betraying their country and those who have worked so hard at conserving our natural treasures,” he said.
Sabah’s wildlife like pangolins, sun bears, rhinoceros, elephants and orangutan have been under heavy pressure from human wildlife conflict like development, hunting, and the illegal pet trade.
Most recently, Indonesian authorities seized a 2.7kg elephant tusk from an Indonesian migrant worker travelling from Tawau to Kalimantan at the Nunukan port last week in the second similar case this year.
Conservationists fear that the tusks belong to Sabah’s Bornean Pygmy Elephants, a rare and endangered species of elephants that is struggling to maintain its habitat among Sabah’s rapid growth rate and plantation industries.
The carrier of the tusks claimed that they were bought for RM1,500 from a seller in Kota Kinabalu and was being taken to his hometown in Kalimantan for a traditional ceremony as a dowry.
“I’ve actually heard of this custom, from Timorese people. Some women told me they came here to work and raise money for their brother’s dowry of an elephant’s tusk. So this could be true. But it could also be used for other purposes. The fact is we cannot be sure of anything unless we actually catch them red-handed,” he said.
Masidi said that the government was concerned over the recent incident and raised questions about the tusk’s origins.
“But it has never been established that it was from here. We know it is probable, but we need to prove it,” he said adding that he has instructed his department to meet their counterparts in Indonesia to investigate the matter and obtain DNA samples of the tusk.
“If it is true that the tusks from here, we’ll obviously need to increase our border security and figure out how they got pass Malaysian checkpoints,” he said.
Read more at http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/sabah-minister-decries-wildlife-poachers-as-traitors#61C0t5MDXWDgqckl.99
Sunday, May 21, 2017
Kuala Gandah elephant sanctuary closed due to floods
PETALING JAYA: The Kuala Gandah National Elephant Conservation Centre is closed until further notice due to flooding.
The Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) in a statement on Tuesday announced the temporary closure of the centre on its official page.
"Please be informed that the Kuala Gandah National Elephant Conservation Centre had to be closed for tours and visitor activities from Tuesday (May 9 2017) till further notice because of flooding on the premises," it said.
The centre is located in Temerloh, Pahang and it is the base for the Elephant Unit that began the elephant translocation program in 1974.
Elephants are listed as a critically endangered species as less than 1,200 wild elephants roam in Peninsular Malaysia.
Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/05/09/kuala-gandah-elephant--sanctuary-closed-due-to-floods/
The Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) in a statement on Tuesday announced the temporary closure of the centre on its official page.
"Please be informed that the Kuala Gandah National Elephant Conservation Centre had to be closed for tours and visitor activities from Tuesday (May 9 2017) till further notice because of flooding on the premises," it said.
The centre is located in Temerloh, Pahang and it is the base for the Elephant Unit that began the elephant translocation program in 1974.
Elephants are listed as a critically endangered species as less than 1,200 wild elephants roam in Peninsular Malaysia.
Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/05/09/kuala-gandah-elephant--sanctuary-closed-due-to-floods/
Tuesday, April 18, 2017
Kelantan Wildlife Dept transfer wild elephant that caused havoc in Jeli
The Kelantan Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) Saturday transferred a male wild elephant after the animal destroyed crops of residents in Kampung Kuala Long here last week.
Its deputy director Ahmad Kamsul Alias said the operation to transfer the five-tonne elephant was carried out by Perhilitan with the assistance of the National Elephant Conservation Centre in Kuala Gandah, Pahang.
"In the operation, we used two female elephants known as Rambai and Abot as decoys to lure the wild elephant.
"The elephant will be sent to Taman Negara, Pahang after this," he told reporters after completing the transfer operation Saturday.
Ahmad Kamsul said 18 personnel including eight employees of the conservation centre were involved in the operation which began at about 9am and ended at noon, Saturday.
Please credit and share this article with others using this link:http://english.astroawani.com/malaysia-news/kelantan-wildlife-dept-transfer-wild-elephant-caused-havoc-jeli-138599
Its deputy director Ahmad Kamsul Alias said the operation to transfer the five-tonne elephant was carried out by Perhilitan with the assistance of the National Elephant Conservation Centre in Kuala Gandah, Pahang.
"In the operation, we used two female elephants known as Rambai and Abot as decoys to lure the wild elephant.
"The elephant will be sent to Taman Negara, Pahang after this," he told reporters after completing the transfer operation Saturday.
Ahmad Kamsul said 18 personnel including eight employees of the conservation centre were involved in the operation which began at about 9am and ended at noon, Saturday.
Please credit and share this article with others using this link:http://english.astroawani.com/malaysia-news/kelantan-wildlife-dept-transfer-wild-elephant-caused-havoc-jeli-138599
Friday, March 17, 2017
Langkawi park elephant in good shape, says Natural Resources and Environment Ministry
PETALING JAYA: The viral photo of an elephant chained on all fours at Langkawi Elephant Adventures (LEA) on Langkawi island is in "good shape and healthy", said the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry.
Photos of a chained Asian elephant named Lasah have been circulated widely since July 2016, with claims from non-governmental organisation Friends of the Orangutans saying that Lasah was living in "deplorable conditions" and was being exploited at LEA.
The Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday that Perhilitan has conducted several inspections on LEA after receiving complaints about the elephant, adding that LEA has also been investigated several times.
It added in its statement that LEA was visited by Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar along with the Ministry's deputy secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Azimuddin Bahari and Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) director general Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim on Tuesday, saying that the visit was to inspect the premises and the elephant.
The Ministry said it concluded that all investigations and inspections "found the elephant in good shape and healthy".
"The condition of the premises is in compliance with the regulations such as having sufficient space and shelter, and so on," said the ministry in a statement.
To read the full article, click on the story title
Photos of a chained Asian elephant named Lasah have been circulated widely since July 2016, with claims from non-governmental organisation Friends of the Orangutans saying that Lasah was living in "deplorable conditions" and was being exploited at LEA.
The Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday that Perhilitan has conducted several inspections on LEA after receiving complaints about the elephant, adding that LEA has also been investigated several times.
It added in its statement that LEA was visited by Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar along with the Ministry's deputy secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Azimuddin Bahari and Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) director general Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim on Tuesday, saying that the visit was to inspect the premises and the elephant.
The Ministry said it concluded that all investigations and inspections "found the elephant in good shape and healthy".
"The condition of the premises is in compliance with the regulations such as having sufficient space and shelter, and so on," said the ministry in a statement.
To read the full article, click on the story title
Friday, February 10, 2017
NGO demands release of Lasah, the Langkawi elephant
PETALING JAYA: Malaysian NGO Friends of the Orangutans Malaysia (Foto) is up in arms over what it claims is continued abuse of an Asian elephant used for tourism purposes on the popular holiday island of Langkawi.
Foto initiated a campaign in July last year to urge the ministry of natural resources and environment (NRE) to relocate Lasah to the Kuala Gandah elephant sanctuary after photos of the 36-year-old elephant, chained on all four legs, were exposed.
“We were shocked to see images of Lasah shackled on all fours and later found out about his tragic past and present fate. It seems to us he has been wrung for financial profit for over 25 years by different individuals,” said Foto director Upreshpal Singh.
The NGO says Lasah has been used in zoos, a logging camp and the entertainment industry, was transferred to Langkawi island in 2006 and is today used by Langkawi Elephant Adventures (LEA) for rides and other activities. He is the only elephant in Langkawi. Lasah also appeared in the 1999 film Anna and the King featuring stars Jodie Foster and Chow Yun-Fatt.
In a report by a local news outlet, LEA director Serene Lau Xiao Woon refuted claims that the park was abusing Lasah and said the elephant was chained to help him recover from wounds on the face and legs.
To read the full article, click on the story title
Foto initiated a campaign in July last year to urge the ministry of natural resources and environment (NRE) to relocate Lasah to the Kuala Gandah elephant sanctuary after photos of the 36-year-old elephant, chained on all four legs, were exposed.
“We were shocked to see images of Lasah shackled on all fours and later found out about his tragic past and present fate. It seems to us he has been wrung for financial profit for over 25 years by different individuals,” said Foto director Upreshpal Singh.
The NGO says Lasah has been used in zoos, a logging camp and the entertainment industry, was transferred to Langkawi island in 2006 and is today used by Langkawi Elephant Adventures (LEA) for rides and other activities. He is the only elephant in Langkawi. Lasah also appeared in the 1999 film Anna and the King featuring stars Jodie Foster and Chow Yun-Fatt.
In a report by a local news outlet, LEA director Serene Lau Xiao Woon refuted claims that the park was abusing Lasah and said the elephant was chained to help him recover from wounds on the face and legs.
To read the full article, click on the story title
Sunday, October 09, 2016
Environmentalist leads Msia's Asian elephants towards brighter future
KUALA TERENGANU: Do not take our wildlife for granted as we have already lost the leatherback turtle and Sumatran rhinoceros, warned an environmental expert.
Wong Ee Phin, a final year PhD student at University of Nottingham Malaysia in Semenyih, Selangor, said that it is high time Malaysian stakeholders value and protect our flora and fauna for the benefit of future generations.
To read the full article, click on the story title
Wong Ee Phin, a final year PhD student at University of Nottingham Malaysia in Semenyih, Selangor, said that it is high time Malaysian stakeholders value and protect our flora and fauna for the benefit of future generations.
To read the full article, click on the story title
Friday, January 11, 2013
Local elephants facing extinction
PETALING JAYA (Dec 13, 2012): Elephants in Peninsular Malaysia are in danger of becoming extinct, says World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Malaysia.
It is estimated that there are only about 1,220 to 1,680 Asian elephants left in Peninsular Malaysia. This is based on the data collected from 2000 to 2012 by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP).
WWF Malaysia Species Conservation manager Dr Han Kwai Hin said habitat loss, illegal hunting, and retaliatory killing are the major threats that cause the number of wild elephants to dwindle.
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Monday, September 10, 2012
Our gentle giants running out of space
Sporadic reports of elephant sightings have brought into sharp focus the continuously accelerating rate of which we are losing wildlife habitat, a concern that indicates elephants are running out of space and time.
Incidents of human-elephant conflict have increased. Degradation and the diversion of elephant habitat for human activities creates a clear need to adopt insightful and proactive measures to secure a future for what is one of the world’s most exotic, intelligent, and humble animals.
Increasing amounts of land granted to large iron ore mines seriously threatens the pachyderms. The fragile ecosystem sustaining some of the earth’s most endangered species is collapsing under the weight of relentless industrialization, as the government pushes ahead with pro-industry policies in the name of development...
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To read the full article click on the story title
Monday, July 02, 2012
'Switch on your electric fences' Sabah Wildlife director
KOTA KINABALU, Malaysia - The use of electric fencing at plantations can help ease human-elephant conflicts, said Sabah Wildlife Department director Dr Laurentius Ambu.
However, he said despite the fact that some big landowners had fenced their estates to avoid crop raiding, many owners still did not switch on the power on their electric fences.
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Friday, May 08, 2009
Sanctuary near Kenyir Lake attracts 31,140 local and foreign visitors
R.S.N. MURALI, The Star
May 1, 2009
HULU TERENGGANU: In just a year, the Sungai Ketiar elephant sanctuary in the hinterland of Kenyir Lake has wooed an outstanding 31,140 visitors.
Both locals and foreigners, the visitors travelled 95km from Kuala Berang to see the three wild Asian elephants, including a female calf, at the sanctuary.
Another 150 wild jumbos will be added to the 15,000ha site over the next three years.
Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said, who visited the sanctuary recently, expressed contentment over its progress.
“It is a unique tourism product the state will focus on while promoting the other attractions already in place at the Kenyir area,” he said.
Ahmad said the visitors could feed the tame elephants and ride on them over a large area.
He said the sanctuary was accessible via the Kuala Berang-Tasik Kenyir-Aring-Gua Musang bypass road.
To read the full article click on the story title
May 1, 2009
HULU TERENGGANU: In just a year, the Sungai Ketiar elephant sanctuary in the hinterland of Kenyir Lake has wooed an outstanding 31,140 visitors.
Both locals and foreigners, the visitors travelled 95km from Kuala Berang to see the three wild Asian elephants, including a female calf, at the sanctuary.
Another 150 wild jumbos will be added to the 15,000ha site over the next three years.
Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said, who visited the sanctuary recently, expressed contentment over its progress.
“It is a unique tourism product the state will focus on while promoting the other attractions already in place at the Kenyir area,” he said.
Ahmad said the visitors could feed the tame elephants and ride on them over a large area.
He said the sanctuary was accessible via the Kuala Berang-Tasik Kenyir-Aring-Gua Musang bypass road.
To read the full article click on the story title
Forestry staff in coma after bashing by poachers
Daily Express
April 24, 2009
Kota Kinabalu: The Forestry Department has been forced to engage the
services of a security firm with armed personnel following a retaliatory
attack by a group of suspected illegal hunters earlier this month.
The attack, involving a group of about 20 men, armed with machetes,
brass knuckles, hockey sticks, samurai swords, rambo knives and sticks,
among others, occurred at the Ulu Segama-Malua District Forestry Office
Base Camp at Sungai Kawag, Ulu Segama Forest Reserve, Lahad Datu at
about 9pm on April 2.
Sabah Forestry Department Director Datuk Sam Mannan said the one-hour
incident left District Forestry Officer Indra Sunjoto seriously injured
and unconscious.
To read the full article click on the story title
April 24, 2009
Kota Kinabalu: The Forestry Department has been forced to engage the
services of a security firm with armed personnel following a retaliatory
attack by a group of suspected illegal hunters earlier this month.
The attack, involving a group of about 20 men, armed with machetes,
brass knuckles, hockey sticks, samurai swords, rambo knives and sticks,
among others, occurred at the Ulu Segama-Malua District Forestry Office
Base Camp at Sungai Kawag, Ulu Segama Forest Reserve, Lahad Datu at
about 9pm on April 2.
Sabah Forestry Department Director Datuk Sam Mannan said the one-hour
incident left District Forestry Officer Indra Sunjoto seriously injured
and unconscious.
To read the full article click on the story title
Wildlife under threat
The Star
March 31, 2009
AT the rate of deforestation and habitat fragmentation in their state, Johoreans will have to brace for more human-wildlife conflicts.
The northern and eastern districts of Johor – Segamat, Mersing, and Kota Tinggi – can expect to experience more intrusions of elephants, in particular, into plantations and other farm land.
As forests are cleared. wild jumbos have to be relocated to other areas.
The southern state has witnessed a prolonged conflict with the pachyderm since the late 1980s as forests were cleared for human settlements and converted into agricultural land especially for oil palm plantations by the private sector as well as the Felda (Federal Land Development Agency) scheme.
The problem is to be expected as these forests are important wildlife habitats, judging from the three huge areas gazetted – the Endau-Kluang, Endau-Kota Tinggi and Segamat Wildlife Reserves (WR) – in 1933. Segamat WR has ceased to exist today.
The Department of Wildlife and National Park (Perhilitan) has translocated 99 elephants from this region since 1994. The displaced creatures were mostly relocated to Endau Rompin National Park and the Terengganu side of Taman Negara.
To read the full article click on the story title
March 31, 2009
AT the rate of deforestation and habitat fragmentation in their state, Johoreans will have to brace for more human-wildlife conflicts.
The northern and eastern districts of Johor – Segamat, Mersing, and Kota Tinggi – can expect to experience more intrusions of elephants, in particular, into plantations and other farm land.
As forests are cleared. wild jumbos have to be relocated to other areas.
The southern state has witnessed a prolonged conflict with the pachyderm since the late 1980s as forests were cleared for human settlements and converted into agricultural land especially for oil palm plantations by the private sector as well as the Felda (Federal Land Development Agency) scheme.
The problem is to be expected as these forests are important wildlife habitats, judging from the three huge areas gazetted – the Endau-Kluang, Endau-Kota Tinggi and Segamat Wildlife Reserves (WR) – in 1933. Segamat WR has ceased to exist today.
The Department of Wildlife and National Park (Perhilitan) has translocated 99 elephants from this region since 1994. The displaced creatures were mostly relocated to Endau Rompin National Park and the Terengganu side of Taman Negara.
To read the full article click on the story title
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Elephant Problem Solvable If Illegal Logging Stopped
Bernama
January 3, 2009
BANDA ACEH, Jan 3 (Bernama) -- Wild elephant incursions into human settlements in Aceh will continue if nothing is done to stop illegal logging in forest areas, Antara news agency reported quoting a local nature conservation official as saying.
"The problem will persist unless illegal logging is stopped," Andi Basrul, head of the Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA), said here Saturday.
During December 2008, wild elephants had invaded a number of villages in Aceh, damaged a few houses and injured several people.
Basrul said his agency could not do much to stop the animals' incursions because they were merely reacting to the damage being done to their habitat.
For the full story click on the title of the article
January 3, 2009
BANDA ACEH, Jan 3 (Bernama) -- Wild elephant incursions into human settlements in Aceh will continue if nothing is done to stop illegal logging in forest areas, Antara news agency reported quoting a local nature conservation official as saying.
"The problem will persist unless illegal logging is stopped," Andi Basrul, head of the Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA), said here Saturday.
During December 2008, wild elephants had invaded a number of villages in Aceh, damaged a few houses and injured several people.
Basrul said his agency could not do much to stop the animals' incursions because they were merely reacting to the damage being done to their habitat.
For the full story click on the title of the article
Friday, October 24, 2008
Injured elephants on the rise, says Sabah wildlife dept
New Straits Times
October 11, 2008
The Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) has a mammoth problem on its hands.
It is increasingly concerned over the rise in the number of injured and dead elephants in the state.
In one instance, a 25-year veteran wildlife guide and lecturer was reduced to tears when he saw a calf (young elephant) in excruciating pain after falling prey to a man-made trap in Kinabatangan.
SWD director Laurentius Ambu noted that the bigger issue facing the department involved elephants getting injured or maimed, mostly due to man-made traps and subsequently succumbing to the injuries.
He said that early last month, a calf was found dead from unknown causes.
“Such traps are usually set by oil palm plantation workers to make ends meet by trapping wild boars and deers for sale to restaurants or self-consumption.
To read the full article click on the story title
October 11, 2008
The Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) has a mammoth problem on its hands.
It is increasingly concerned over the rise in the number of injured and dead elephants in the state.
In one instance, a 25-year veteran wildlife guide and lecturer was reduced to tears when he saw a calf (young elephant) in excruciating pain after falling prey to a man-made trap in Kinabatangan.
SWD director Laurentius Ambu noted that the bigger issue facing the department involved elephants getting injured or maimed, mostly due to man-made traps and subsequently succumbing to the injuries.
He said that early last month, a calf was found dead from unknown causes.
“Such traps are usually set by oil palm plantation workers to make ends meet by trapping wild boars and deers for sale to restaurants or self-consumption.
To read the full article click on the story title
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Visitors To Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary Up 34 Pct In 2007, Says ECER
Bernama
September 29. 2008
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 29 (Bernama) -- The National Elephant Conservation Centre in Kuala Gandah has seen a 34 percent increase in visitors in 2007 compared to the previous year.
Earmarked as a wildlife reserve under the East Coast Economic Region (ECER), the centre received a total of 81,017 visitors last year from 60,436 in 2006, ECER said in statement here today.
The centre's elephant unit chief, Nasharuddin Othman, said most of the foreign tourists who visited the elephant sanctuary were from Australia, UK, New Zealand, Japan and Germany.
He said the number of both local and foreign visitors keep increasing every year.
"In 2005, there were 38,863 visitors. This figure rose to 60,436 in 2006. We have attracted a lot of visitors due to the fact that this is the only place in Malaysia where visitors are able to observe closely and understand the handling and management of trans-located Asian elephants," Nasharuddin said.
To read the full article click on the story title
September 29. 2008
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 29 (Bernama) -- The National Elephant Conservation Centre in Kuala Gandah has seen a 34 percent increase in visitors in 2007 compared to the previous year.
Earmarked as a wildlife reserve under the East Coast Economic Region (ECER), the centre received a total of 81,017 visitors last year from 60,436 in 2006, ECER said in statement here today.
The centre's elephant unit chief, Nasharuddin Othman, said most of the foreign tourists who visited the elephant sanctuary were from Australia, UK, New Zealand, Japan and Germany.
He said the number of both local and foreign visitors keep increasing every year.
"In 2005, there were 38,863 visitors. This figure rose to 60,436 in 2006. We have attracted a lot of visitors due to the fact that this is the only place in Malaysia where visitors are able to observe closely and understand the handling and management of trans-located Asian elephants," Nasharuddin said.
To read the full article click on the story title
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