Kota Kinabalu: THE Sabah Government is strengthening immediate and long-term measures to address human-wildlife conflict, including damage caused by wild elephants, wild boars, monkeys and other animals to farms and agricultural livelihoods.
Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Dr Andi Md Shamsureezal Mohd Saina said the Ministry and the Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) continue to implement measures to reduce conflict risks while pursuing sustainable long-term management strategies.
Advertisement
He said the Government’s approach is tailored to the behaviour, ecology and causes of conflict for each species and locality, adding that capture-and-relocation is not a long-term solution because it merely shifts the problem elsewhere without addressing its root causes.
“The State Government is strengthening a comprehensive mitigation approach through greater public awareness, community involvement and more effective preventive measures, while continuously improving operational procedures and sharing expertise with mitigation teams established together with local communities,” he said when replying to Arunarnsin Taib (Warisan-Gum-Gum).
Andi said one of the initiatives introduced to tackle elephant conflict is the establishment of Elephant Escort Ranger Teams in hotspot areas, involving local community participation.
He said members of the teams receive training on elephant behaviour, safe conflict management and effective techniques to drive elephants away without harming the animals, enabling faster responses and improving community capacity to deal with incidents.
Advertisement
Andi said the Sabah Wildlife Department is also implementing species-specific measures, including controlled monkey population reduction in selected areas to manage zoonotic disease risks and safeguard public safety, rather than as a solution to human-wildlife conflict.
He said satellite collars have been fitted to selected wild elephants to monitor their movements and habitat use, with the data helping the department understand migration routes, improve mitigation planning and provide early warnings to at-risk communities.
“For conflicts involving wild boars, the SWD carries out control measures in accordance with legal provisions, risk assessments and complaints received from affected areas,” he said.
Andi said the Government would continue strengthening science-based approaches through continuous monitoring, research, technology, community participation and strategic collaboration to balance wildlife conservation with the wellbeing of affected communities, particularly farmers.
Responding to a supplementary question from Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal (Warisan-Senallang), who urged firmer action and proposed a dedicated wildlife settlement area that could also serve as a tourism attraction, Andi said the Government was studying the establishment of an elephant sanctuary in Tawau.
“I agree with the proposal and I am confident the Chief Minister is committed to ensuring human-wildlife conflict does not become uncontrollable in the State,” he said.
He said discussions on the proposed sanctuary are ongoing with relevant parties and the SWD, adding that if the project proves successful, the model could be expanded to other districts to help reduce human-wildlife conflict.
.png)
