FOR over two decades, Dr Nurzhafarina Othman’s life has been inextricably linked with the Bornean elephant, particularly in Sabah’s Lower Kinabatangan.
What began in 2003 as a conservation biology degree at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) evolved into a profound mission to understand and conserve South-East Asia’s largest land mammal.
Now a senior lecturer at UMS Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation, Nurzhafarina dedicates her life to studying every aspect of these gentle giants, whose future faces increasing threats.
Her unwavering commitment to elephant conservation, especially through her leadership as founder and director of non-profit Seratu Aatai, recently garnered global recognition.
In April, Nurzhafarina was honoured with the prestigious Whitley Award, widely known as the “Green Oscar”, as testament to her impactful work.
Speaking to Bernama, she shared the unique and powerful bond that formed between her and the elephants during her fieldwork.
These encounters revealed their sensitive, affectionate and intelligent nature, challenging common misconceptions.
“There’s a feeling that we chose each other. It’s as if I was meant to be part of their story,” she mused, recalling how her initial academic pursuit transformed into a deeper calling.
Nurzhafarina recounts never experiencing aggression from the pachyderms.
Instead, her presence was met with calm, as if they recognised her role as a protector, not an intruder.
“The elephants gave me their time,” she said, detailing how she came to know 50 individual females by sight, even naming them, over four years.
The Sabah-based lecturer from Kedah emphasised that elephants don’t “attack” or “invade”; rather, humans have encroached into their territories.
This fundamental truth fuels her lifelong mission: to foster harmonious coexistence between humans and elephants.
Founded in 2018, Seratu Aatai, which means “united in heart” in the Sungai language, actively works with local communities through education and outreach.
It aims to promote empathy and awareness for elephants and all wildlife.
Seratu Aatai remains the only conservation group in Sabah solely dedicated to protecting the Bornean elephant (Elephas maximus borneensis) in Lower Kinabatangan, a rich biodiverse region also home to the orang utan, sun bear and proboscis monkey.
Witnessing the elephants’ struggle to navigate their fragmented natural habitats surrounded by human activity was a pivotal moment for her.
It ignited her resolve to be a voice for these creatures, bridging the gap between human development and animal preservation.
Receiving the Whitley Award 2025 was an emotional experience. Presented by the UK-based Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN), the award is highly competitive and globally recognised.
On April 30, she accepted the £50,000 (RM287,000) award from WFN patron Princess Anne at the Royal Geographical Society in London, England.
This award validates her efforts to protect the estimated 300 remaining Bornean elephants in eastern Sabah.
It also acknowledges her innovative approach of engaging the palm oil industry in Lower Kinabatangan to adopt elephant- friendly practices and establish safe corridors for the world’s smallest elephant species.
“This award comes with great responsibility,” said Nurzhafarina expressing gratitude for the platform it provided to highlight the elephants’ plight and affirm the work of those in the field.
For her, conservation is a heartfelt expression of gratitude for the opportunity to protect these endangered species.
While acknowledging the challenges of uniting all parties, she hopes local communities will join her in this mission, believing Kinabatangan can symbolise human-wildlife harmony.
“Sabah and Borneo are renowned for their natural wealth. So we must find a balance between development and environmental conservation,” she added.
