Collared Elephant Provides Hope In Finding Vital Corridors In Fragmented Habitat

By Haslin Gaffor SANDAKAN (Malaysia), March 12 (Bernama) -- A female Borneo pygmy elephant recently fitted with a satellite collar is expected to become her herd’s ambassador in determining important migration corridors between forested areas currently cut off by development, including the Sandakan-Lahad Datu road. The collar on the 1.9-metre tall elephant captured in the Segaliud Lokan Forest Reserve, is expected to transmit data on possible further migration into the Pin Supu Forest Reserve, or from the Lower Kinabatangan region to Segaliud Lokan. Borneo Conservation Trust (BCT) Conservation and Research head Raymond Alfred said the estimated 290 to 310 elephants in the Kinabatangan region are currently separated from the main population in central Sabah, including the Segaliud Lokan Forest Reserve, by a main road. Alfred said the solution to habitat fragmentation lies in the creation of a network of wildlife “corridors” that link forest reserves. “This collaring activity is one of the components of the Mega Biodiversity Corridor programme initiated by BCT, which aims to enhance forest ecosystem connectivity and ecological corridors within key habitats of the Bornean elephant and Orang Utan in Sabah. “The Mega Biodiversity Corridor will allow elephants and Orang Utan to safely migrate, access food sources and establish crucial genetic links between populations,” Alfred said in a joint statement issued by BCT and the Sabah Wildlife Department here Monday. The elephant named “Segaliud” is estimated to be between 25 and 35 years old. She was observed to be physically healthy and was in lactation with a calf of around five to six months old. The collaring exercise is the first to be carried out by BCT and the Sabah Wildlife Department’s Wildlife Rescue Unit in collaboration with KTS Plantation Sdn Bhd. Alfred said there was a need to develop a long-term action plan to address the issue of fragmentation. “Steps may include land purchase and the securing and restoration of riparian reserves (at river banks) to re-establish the vital wildlife corridors that link key habitats and protected areas,” Alfred said. Sabah Wildlife Department director Dr Laurentius Ambu said the department is working closely with BCT and its partners from the private sector to reinstate and maintain crucial elephant corridors. "Wildlife corridors offer one of the best long term solutions facing the endangered Bornean elephant," Ambu said. According to the Elephant Action Plan recently released by the department, there are an estimated 2,040 elephants in Sabah. Sabah is an East Malaysia state. -- BERNAMA