Displaying items by tag: elephants

Human-elephant conflict in Malaysia has resulted in nearly five thousand complaints and RM40 million (£7 million) in losses over the past four years, prompting conservationists to call for a deeper, more strategic approach than the long-standing practice of elephant translocation. Prof Dr Ahmad Ismail of the Malaysian Ecological Association stressed the need for a comprehensive understanding of elephant biology, behaviour, and ecology to manage habitats effectively. He also called for strengthening ecological corridors and fostering cooperation with state governments. Meanwhile, the government wildlife department has initiated a year-long translocation operation involving 25 elephants, beginning in Johor and expanding to other conflict-prone states. A commentator, noting that limited natural landscapes leave elephants with nowhere to roam, says, ‘The elephants and all other forms of wildlife were here first’. This discussion underscores the need for proper funding and stronger commitment to preserving Malaysia’s remaining forests and natural resources.

Fifty elephants have been relocated from the overcrowded Mwea National Reserve to a larger national park, 75 miles away, to reduce environmental strain and human-wildlife conflict. The reserve, which ideally could support 47 elephants, had a population of 156. The tourism minister, Rebecca Maino, noted that the rising elephant population is a sign that poaching is under control, but the overcrowding had resulted in elephants straying into nearby farms in search of food. Local residents expressed relief that the animals had been moved, as their presence had become a growing problem. The elephants arrived safely in their new home, and the $93,000 project is set to enter a second phase, with plans to relocate another fifty elephants soon.