Dept gets mini trucks to help care for elephants
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Wildlife Department has received three mini trucks to help send food and medication for elephants in need in the state.
The three mini HIJET trucks contributed by Asahiyama Zoo, Borneo Conservation Trust Fund Japan (BCT japan), Daihatsu Japan was handed over to the department in a simple ceremony here recently.
State Tourism, Culture and Environment assistant minister Datuk Kamarlin Ombi said the contribution was made possible due to the effort by Asahiyama Zoo director Dr Gen Bando.
“I was told that Dr Gen had really pushed for this contribution when he told Daihatsu about the conflicts between elephants and humans in Sabah,” he said.
He said Dr Gen also explained to the company the various issues affecting these jumbos.
Kamarlin said the clearing of forests for farming activities, especially in elephant ranges, has resulted in the loss of habitat for these mammals and disrupted their migration routes.
The state government came up with various efforts and plans were drawn up to address these issues, he said, adding that Sabah’s close collaboration with the BCT had also helped a lot in elephant conservation.
Meanwhile, Sabah Wildlife Department director William Baya, who was also present at the event, agreed that conflict between humans and elephants has been there over the past years.
“It is obvious that there has been a dramatic change in the landscape, especially in the elephant ranges, he said.
“We have been working tirelessly to help in resolving these issues by being the middle man for the affected communities and the elephants,” he said.
William said without collaboration with the Japanese trust fund and zoo, they would not have the trucks to assist their field staff in acquiring food for the elephants .
Currently, field staff use whatever means possible to obtain food for the animals and sometimes their vehicles break down during the task, he said, adding that these new trucks will lessen their burden.
“It is our duty to strike a balance between both the communities and elephants to co-exist peacefully,” said William.
The trucks will be used in the Borneo Elephant Sanctuary (BES) in Kinabatangan, Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre, Sandakan and the Lok Kawi Wildlife Park here.
These three places play different roles in elephant conservation.
BES caters to the injured and displaced elephants en route relocation while Sepilok cares for orphaned calf in need of 24-hour care.
The Lok Kawi Wildlife Park meanwhile focuses on educating the public on the plight of the elephants.
Source: The Star
