CURRENT STATUS OF BORNEAN ELEPHANTS IN SABAH
The Bornean elephant (Elephas maximus borneensis), a unique and enigmatic subspecies of the Asian elephant found only in northeastern Borneo, faces an increasingly uncertain future. Once roaming the vast lowland rainforests of the island, these gentle giants are now confined to fragmented habitats across Sabah and North Kalimantan, with fewer than a thousand individuals remaining. Their shrinking range and growing overlap with agricultural landscapes have intensified human–elephant conflict, making coexistence one of Sabah’s most pressing conservation challenges.
This presentation delves into the current status of the Bornean elephant, drawing from the latest research and field experiences across its range. It examines key threats such as habitat loss, retaliatory killings, poisoning, poaching, and infrastructure development, while spotlighting innovative approaches that are transforming conflict into coexistence. These include landscape-level working groups, community -based initiatives, ecological corridors that reconnect fragmented forests, habitat enrichment projects, and the integration of wildlife-friendly infrastructure in road planning.
Through case studies, lessons learned, and forward-looking policy recommendations, this session highlights the critical need for cross-sector collaboration – linking government agencies, plantation industries, local communities, and conservation organisations. By reimagining how landscapes are managed and connected, Sabah has the opportunity to become a model for coexistence, where people and elephants can thrive together in a shared, living, and resilient landscape.
DR. CHERYL CHEAH PHAIK IMM
World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Malaysia
Cheryl has over a decade of experience in wildlife conservation and currently serves as the Protect Lead for WWF-Malaysia’s Sabah Landscapes Programme. In this role, she leads initiatives focused on wildlife conservation, forest protection, habitat connectivity, and sustainable infrastructure development. Her work centres on fostering coexistence between people and elephants through multi-stakeholder collaborations while also conducting ecological assessments to understand how terrain, vegetation, and climate influence animal behaviour. She is equally passionate about examining how land-use changes and human activities affect biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. Cheryl holds a Ph.D. in Wildlife Ecology and is an active member of the IUCN SSC Asian Elephant Specialist Group, the IUCN WCPA Connectivity Conservation Specialist Group, and the IUCN WCPA Expert Assessment Group for the Green List (EAGL) in Malaysia. Her expertise bridges science, policy, and practice – driving efforts to shape a more sustainable and wildlife-friendly future for Sabah’s landscapes.