KOTA KINABALU: A rare sight unfolded in Kinabatangan today as a herd of over 20 elephants returned to a Napier grass plantation, offering tourists an up-close glimpse of Borneo’s giants.
The elephants were first spotted at around 6.45am, and as of 5pm, they were still at the site, feeding on the grass and moving leisurely within the area.
The plantation, managed by the RESPonsible Elephant Conservation Trust (RESPECT) in Tanini, Kinabatangan, has been a key part of conservation efforts to reduce human-elephant conflict.
This marks the second recorded visit since the plantation was established in April last year, with the first visit in July 2024 by a smaller group of eight elephants.
RESPECT Chairman Alexander Yee said the project’s success proves that designated food corridors can play a crucial role in keeping elephants within safe zones while protecting farmlands and villages.
“This initiative is not only yielding results but proving to be a viable solution to mitigate human-elephant conflict in Kinabatangan. However, for long-term success, we need continued collaboration and support from all stakeholders,” he said.
The plantation began in May 2024 as part of a small-scale initiative to test whether providing Napier grass as an alternative food source could help keep elephants away from human settlements. Just two months later, a herd of seven elephants—including a baby—was seen feeding at the site.
“That gave us a morale boost because it showed that the elephants had taken notice of the food,” Yee said.
Encouraged by these results, the initiative has since expanded into a 33.35-acre Borneo Elephant Food Corridor along the Riparian Reserve of Kampung Bilit, creating a larger, dedicated feeding zone to help prevent elephants from straying into plantations and residential areas.
The concept is simple — by ensuring elephants have access to sufficient food in designated areas, they are less likely to wander into farmlands or oil palm estates in search of sustenance.
For local villagers, the presence of elephants is no longer seen as a nuisance.
Syahronn Rahman, a villager from Kampung Batu Putih and site supervisor for the project, admitted that attitudes have changed.
"They would come into the village, destroy crops, and even wreck our shelters. But now, we understand their needs and the importance of conserving their habitat. We’ve also learned to leave certain plants, like barau grass, along riverbanks because they serve as food for the elephants," he said.
Beyond conservation, the project has also provided economic benefits. Local villagers have been employed to maintain the Napier grass fields, and volunteers, including students from SK Bilit Kinabatangan and international groups like the Intrepid Foundation from Australia, have contributed to planting efforts and keeping the area clean.
However, isolated incidents continue to occur. Just three days ago, a baby elephant was spotted inside a house in Kalabakan, reportedly searching for water and food.
Cases like these highlight the urgent need for expanding the food corridor to provide sustainable alternatives for wild elephants while protecting local communities.
