Borneo's Elephant Conservation Unit

Secondary forests of the Lower Kinabatangan are also home to approximately 200 of the 1200 to 1500 Asian elephants believed to remain in northeastern Borneo.  Recent research indicates that they may be genetically distinct and potentially separated from mainland Asian populations thousands of years.  Today this subspecies is only found in Sabah (although some individuals roam in Northern Kalimantan), making the State of Sabah the sole custodian of a unique sub-species of elephant

ECU's mission is "to contribute to the long-term survival of the Kinabatangan elephant population by restoring more harmonious relationships between the local communities and the elephants"

ECU's objectives include:

1. Mitigate conflicts between people and elephants

2. Provide tools and training to local farmers for elephant-friendly crop protection

3. Understand elephant raiding strategies

4. Study the ecology of the Bornean elephant

5. Raise awareness among the local community on the importance of elephant conservation

Hutan's Elephant Conservation Unit has currently undertaken a number of other research initiatives including creating a photographic database of family units, tracking family associations among the Kinabatangan elephants, studying the composition of the elephant food diet, and dating elephant presence signs. The ECU has also partnered with the Danau Girang Research Centre on a new research effort: Satellite tracking and social behaviour of the Bornean elephant in the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary.