JOHOR BARU: Human-elephant conflict in Johor is expected to ease with the opening of the Johor Elephant Sanctuary (JES) in Kota Tinggi next year.
State health and environment committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said the sanctuary was one of the state government’s initiatives to address conflicts between humans and elephants, particularly in areas near wildlife habitats.
“The opening of JES in Kota Tinggi can help further reduce human-elephant conflict in the state. It is one of the state government’s initiatives to address this issue,” he said yesterday.
He added that the second phase of the sanctuary’s upgrading project was more than 82% complete and expected to be finished in the first quarter of 2027.
The project, costing more than RM11mil, involves the construction of several new facilities, including a visitor hall, security room, observation deck and elephant viewing platform.
Ling said the new facilities would allow visitors to observe the elephants’ daily routines more closely when the sanctuary opens to the public.
One of the sanctuary’s key features is a 16km fence comprising electric fencing and metal barriers designed to prevent elephants housed at the facility from entering nearby villages.
Ling said the fencing would help protect communities living near the sanctuary while supporting efforts to manage the elephants within the facility.
There are currently eight elephants associated with the sanctuary, including four calves housed within its grounds.
The elephants are expected to assist in the rehabilitation of wild elephants that enter the sanctuary in the future.
Ling also said that the sanctuary would serve not only as a conservation facility but also as an additional ecotourism attraction for Johor.
“The opening of JES is not only about adding another ecotourism product to Johor, but also represents a step forward in elephant conservation in the state.”
He added that elephants were among Johor’s natural treasures that needed to be protected, particularly in light of several recent incidents involving human- elephant conflict.
Ling said efforts to conserve and protect wild elephants must remain a priority, while measures are also needed to reduce risks to nearby communities.
He said ticket prices had yet to be determined, but he hoped the sanctuary would help the public gain a better understanding of elephants and their way of life.
Ling added that JES would also provide an opportunity to educate visitors about wildlife conservation and the importance of maintaining environmental balance.
