Bornean Elephants

Once believed to be remnants of a domesticated herd given to the Sultan of Sulu in the 17th century, Bornean elephants were determined by Scientists to be genetically different from other Asian elephants. DNA evidence proved these elephants were isolated about 300,000 years ago from their cousins on mainland Asia and Sumatra. Over time, they became smaller with relatively larger ears, longer tails and straighter tusks. Today, the Bornean elephants of Borneo are the smallest elephants in Asia. The primary threat to these elephants is the loss of continuous forests. Mammals of their size require large areas to find sufficient food. The large blocks of forests they require are fragmented by encroachment and conversion of natural forests to commercial plantations. Logging, expanding agriculture, and palm oil plantations are reducing contact between sub populations, as well as shrinking the forest area available for each sub-population. CONFLICT WITH HUMANS Shrinking forests bring the elephants into more frequent contact with people, increasing human -elephant conflict in the region. New oil palm plantations in the area mean more human settlements, with some people setting illegal snares to catch small game. In the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, it is estimated that 20 percent of resident elephants have sustained injuries from these snares. They only occur in the northeastern part of Borneo, Sabah is home to an estimated of 2040 wild Bornean Elephants. They prefer low-lying areas where movement is relatively easy, near rivers, with open areas for feeding and socialization, they generally avoid steep slopes.
The Kinabatangan River is the second longest river in Malaysia with a length of 560 km (350 mi) from its headwaters in the mountains of southwest Sabah, to its outlet at the Sulu Sea, east of Sandakan.

The range of wild elephants in Sabah and Kalimantan seems to be influenced by the occurrence of natural mineral resources. Unfortunately, as much of the land used for generations by elephants migrating in search of food has been increasingly converted to oil palm plantations, resulting in conflict between man and animal. These endangered elephants are a distinct species found only in Borneo and not, as once thought, a sub-species of the Asian elephant. For now, the long-term survival of the species will rely on the various Sabah Government Departments, NGO's, Local Community, Tourism agencies and Private Agricultural companies, although, there are some good success elephant conservation stories.

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