Farina is a Malaysian researcher who is finishing her PhD with Cardiff University and looking at solutions to protect elephants and people from the above scenarios. Her work, which been supported by the Houston Zoo for many years and is our elephant conservationist and researcher in Borneo, assists the Sabah Wildlife Department in determining best practices for the conservation and management of the elephants in the region. Her teams work has also determined that the genetics data and historical records support the theory that the Bornean elephant might be a remnant of an extinct population from Java, making these populations unique.
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In the 17th century, the Sultan of Sulu was given of collection of captive elephants, and these elephants were subsequently released into the Borneo jungle. Comparison of DNA with other elephant subspecies has found that Borneo elephants are derived from Sundaic stock and became an isolated, genetically divergent population , years ago.
In there were only 2, recorded as living in the wild and this number is now thought to be much lower with the current population believed to be only around 1, individuals. The Bornean elephant is only found in forested areas in the south, centre and east of the state of Sabah on the island of Borneo.
Bornean Pygmy elephants live in matriarchal groups of between 8 to 12 individuals. The family group will consist of an older matriarch, her daughters and their calves. The males will stay with their mother and her herd until they reach adolescence at around 8 years old. Adult males live mainly independently, although they will have some interaction with their family group, and sometimes come together with other bulls.
These elephants can live for up to sixty years in the wild. DNA analysis and a study found that pygmy elephants were genetically distinct from other Asian elephants.
This research suggests that pygmy elephants were isolated from Mainland and Sumatran Asian elephants some , years ago. A third theory has recently put forward by researchers based on a study of genetic data. This suggests that the Bornean elephant colonized Borneo between 11,, years ago when the major islands of Sundaland Borneo, Java and Sumatra were connected by land bridges. So does that close the debate?
Probably not but it is safe to say that the elephants are indigenous to Borneo and they have been there for some time. A number of organizations conduct research and are doing great work to protect these elephants. These include universities, NGOs and government agencies. WWF Malaysia conducted the first major research into this species in when they attached satellite collars to five elephants from different herds in Sabah.
Today both foreign and local researchers are working in elephant conservation. One of the leading Malaysian experts is Dr Nurzhafarina Othman. You can find out more about her research work here. This video was filmed at the Kinabatangan River in Sabah and includes close-up footage of pygmy elephants feeding in the forest and along the river bank. The final minute of the video shows elephants swimming and playing in the river. The Kinabatangan River is one of the best places to see pygmy elephants.
It is also a great place to see orangutans and proboscis monkeys. The river is usually accessed via the town of Sandakan. Most of the lodges and homestays are located near Sukau. A more limited range of accommodation is found at Abai, a village located closer to Sandakan. To stand a good chance of seeing elephants on the Kinabatangan River you will need to stay a few nights. You can increase your chance of seeing elephants by staying at different locations, thus covering a wider area of the river.
For example, spending time at both Sukau and Abai as this 4 day, 3 night tour does. Large herds of elephants are sometimes seen along the banks of the Kinabatangan River. If you are lucky you may see a herd swim across the river. A mother helps her calf up a muddy river bank near Abai village, Kinabatangan River, Sabah. Danum Valley offers pygmy elephants a sanctuary free of the human-elephant conflicts that are now common in other places in Sabah where they roam. Elephants are often spotted along the access roads to Danum Valley.
We also have trips with accommodation at the Danum Valley Field Centre. The lowland forests of Tabin Wildlife Reserve are another good place to see elephants. This vast reserve of , hectares is a mix of secondary and primary forest and is surrounding by oil palm plantations.
As with Danum, the access roads and tracks provide decent opportunities to see pygmy elephants.
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