In honour of World Elephant Day 2021, Destination Asia Malaysia team members attended a virtual event focusing on collaboration in tackling wildlife conflicts. Entitled “Cooperation in Dealing with Wildlife Conflict”, the virtual talk was organized by the Sabah Wildlife Department in collaboration with Earthworm Foundation, IOI Plantation Services Sdn Bhd, CERT, and 7Team.
Before the session started, each organization provided a brief explanation about them and their roles and activities in supporting wildlife and the surrounding communities. The respective organizations also shared their experiences and creating awareness through collaboration in tackling wildlife conflict.
Led by Mr Hussien Muin, a wildlife officer in Sandakan, the session addressed topics including the importance of wildlife, cooperation with other organizations to protect elephants, conflicts that occur between humans and elephants, strategies to overcome the problems, protected areas in Sabah, how these conflicts affect the community, as well as the list of Acts protecting Malaysia’s wildlife.
At the end of the discussions, Mr Hussien also gave a brief overview of ‘Guides of Elephant Behaviour’, published by Seratu Aatai from the Sabah Biodiversity Conservation Organization.
