Gentle giants: In this unrelated photo, seven rescued elephants are seen roaming at the the Borneo Elephant Sanctuary. — Bernama
KOTA KINABALU: The best way to determine an elephant’s ideal diet is by studying its dung.This approach was undertaken by the Community Elephant Ranger Team (CERT), which led to the discovery of several fruits suitable for the elephants’ diet.
This prompted the launch of a fruit tree planting project as part of its Human-Elephant Harmony Project.
The Integrated Forest Garden Project, which was recently launched in the Tawai Forest Reserve, a protected area in Telupid, aims to ensure a sustainable food source for elephants.
“The project aims to create a sustainable food supply for elephants while fostering coexistence between humans and wildlife,” CERT coordinator Alvein Dee Albenus said in a statement.
Over 200 fruit trees, including durian, rambutan, tarap, mango, bambangan, guava and Napier grass, were planted during the programme.
Albenus added that these species were carefully selected based on studies of seeds found in elephant dung.
The seedlings, cultivated by CERT and donated by participants, are expected to establish a long-term food supply for elephants in the reserve.
“Seeds from elephant dung were analysed to identify the fruits consumed by the Borneo elephants, offering crucial insights into their diet,” he said.
Food shortages, he added, often drive elephants to encroach into human settlements and plantations.
Beyond ensuring food availability, the project also seeks to raise awareness about the importance of protecting these endangered animals and engage local communities in conservation efforts.
CERT is now seeking collaborations at national and international levels to secure the survival of the Borneo elephants while safeguarding the livelihoods of local communities.
Borneo elephants, a distinct sub-species of Asian elephants, have been classified as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species.
Primarily found in Sabah, with a small population in Indonesia’s Kalimantan, the elephants, also known as Pygmy elephants, are estimated to number just 1,000, including 400 breeding adults.
The recent programme in Telupid attracted over 100 participants, including government staff, non-governmental organisations such as Bestaria Eco Tourism Komura, JCI Moyog, and Borneo Rhino Alliance, as well as students and teachers from several schools.
Local villagers from Kampung Liningkung, Kampung Bauto, Kampung Gambaron and Kampung Telupid were also present, alongside 2024 Telupid Unduk Ngadau winner Queency Isabelle Ladzrus.
Telupid District Forestry Officer Elrimeo Emin stressed the importance of ongoing care for the planted trees.
In response, CERT, together with Angels United and the Telupid District Youth Council pledged to monitor and maintain the trees, welcoming additional support from all parties.
The organisers hope the Telupid community will continue planting fruit trees to create a sanctuary for the elephants and promote peaceful coexistence between humans and wildlife.
The programme was a joint effort involving Angels United, the Telupid District Youth Council, the Telupid District Forestry Office, the Sandakan Wildlife Department and the Tongod police station.
