KINABATANGAN: One Bornean elephant was fitted with a satellite collar on 26 May 2010 in the Lot 5 of the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary (LKWS) as part of a collaborative project between the Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD), the NGO HUTAN and the Danau Girang Field Centre (DGFC).
This project is funded by the Asian Elephant Conservation Fund from the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service, Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund, Elephant Family, Houston Zoo and Columbus Zoo.
“The aim of this project is to collect crucial information on the movement of the elephant to contribute to the long-term conservation management of the species in Borneo,” said Dr Laurentius Ambu, Director of SWD.
“Early morning, members of the HUTAN Elephant Conservation Unit of Kampung Sukau, led by Sulaiman bin Ismail tracked an elephant herd for more than two hours before calling us,” explained Dr Symphorosa Sipangkui, SWD Wildlife Veterinarian who led the collaring team.
“We identified a female, a 35-year old matriarch that we named Sunda. She was tranquilised by Jibius Dausip, a member of the Sabah Wildlife Rescue Unit, before the satellite collar was set up on her neck and blood samples were collected,” she added.
“The elephant population living in Kinabatangan is currently trapped in the lower parts of the floodplain. Because of recent human developments and extensive oil palm plantations, the herd is completely disconnected from the elephant populations living up-river in the forest reserves of Segaliud, Tangkulap and Deramakot.
This project is funded by the Asian Elephant Conservation Fund from the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service, Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund, Elephant Family, Houston Zoo and Columbus Zoo.
“The aim of this project is to collect crucial information on the movement of the elephant to contribute to the long-term conservation management of the species in Borneo,” said Dr Laurentius Ambu, Director of SWD.
“Early morning, members of the HUTAN Elephant Conservation Unit of Kampung Sukau, led by Sulaiman bin Ismail tracked an elephant herd for more than two hours before calling us,” explained Dr Symphorosa Sipangkui, SWD Wildlife Veterinarian who led the collaring team.
“We identified a female, a 35-year old matriarch that we named Sunda. She was tranquilised by Jibius Dausip, a member of the Sabah Wildlife Rescue Unit, before the satellite collar was set up on her neck and blood samples were collected,” she added.
“The elephant population living in Kinabatangan is currently trapped in the lower parts of the floodplain. Because of recent human developments and extensive oil palm plantations, the herd is completely disconnected from the elephant populations living up-river in the forest reserves of Segaliud, Tangkulap and Deramakot.
Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Conservation of Bornean elephants at Kinabatangan
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