KOTA KINABALU: Sabah has launched the Captive Elephant Management Plan (CEMP) to safeguard one of its most iconic and majestic species, the Bornean pygmy elephant.
State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew said the CEMP would serve as a collective effort in improving the standards of elephant care in Sabah.
“Sabah is home to the smallest elephant in the world, a species found nowhere else on Earth.
"While this unique trait makes them a valuable tourism asset, their existence is increasingly threatened by habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict,” she said when launching the CEMP and the Bornean Elephant Conservation Symposium here on Wednesday (April 9).
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“As we gather to discuss and develop strategies for their conservation, we have an opportunity to ensure that future generations will continue to witness these gentle giants roaming our forests,” she added.
Liew said the plan is one of the key outputs of the ongoing Bornean Elephant Action Plan, reinforcing the state's commitment to ensure best ex-situ practices for elephant management and long-term conservation efforts.
“Our goal is clear – we want our captive facilities, such as the Borneo Elephant Sanctuary and Lok Kawi Wildlife Park, to be recognised internationally as centres of excellence,” she said.
According to Liew, these facilities provide a haven for elephants that cannot be immediately released into the wild while also supporting rehabilitation and eventual reintroduction, particularly at the Bornean Elephant Sanctuary.
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They play a vital role in conservation education, research, and sustainable tourism, Liew said, adding that proper training, resources and recognition for elephant keepers were essential to their work.
Investing in better infrastructure will enhance elephant welfare and elevate the tourism experience, she added.
Liew said a well-managed sanctuary and captive elephant centre would strengthen conservation efforts while boosting Sabah’s tourism appeal, attracting visitors eager to support ethical wildlife conservation.
Although human-animal conflicts continue to occur, she said there are ways to mitigate them and co-exist by considering the tourism, environment and heritage opportunities instead of continuing to regard such efforts as a burden.
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“We need to strike a delicate balance that allows for both the welfare of our people in Sabah and the conservation of elephants.
“We must aim for solutions where both communities and elephants benefit. We have seen successful examples of turning environmental challenges into opportunities,” she said, noting that community-based conservation, ecotourism initiatives, and compensation schemes would be worth considering.
At the same time, there has to be strengthened enforcement to protect the elephants, she added.
“Poaching and illegal killings must be met with strict prosecution to deter future offences. Snare traps, the 'silent killer' of our wildlife, must also be eradicated,” Liew said, urging for increased patrols, active removal of traps and harsher penalties for offenders.
“Only through decisive action and unwavering commitment can we ensure true protection for our wildlife, not just for Bornean elephants."
