Conservationists repeat their warnings that a proposed alignment of the Pan Borneo Highway through the Tawai Forest Reserve in Telupid may expose pygmy elephants to greater risks of poaching and road kills, pushing the endangered species closer to extinction.
The Coalition Humans Habitats Highways (3H), a group of environmental and wildlife organizations, highlighted that the highway would cut through one of the last strongholds for Borneo’s pygmy elephants. They argue that the road will provide easy access to poachers, exposing the elephants to illegal hunting in previously remote areas.
“This road could open the floodgates for poachers. It’s not just about building infrastructure; it’s about the survival of an iconic species,” said Professor Benoit Goossens, Director of Danau Girang Field Centre and a Coalition 3H member.
Sabah has struggled with elephant poaching for years, driven by demand for ivory and body parts on the black market. Conservationists say the new highway could worsen the situation by creating pathways for illegal hunters to reach and exploit remote elephant habitats.
A chilling reminder of the dangers came earlier this month, when a decapitated elephant was discovered along the Kalabakan road. Environmentalists fear this could become a more frequent occurrence if the proposed route is built through the forest reserve, home to a significant concentration of pygmy elephants.
“Building roads in protected habitats doesn’t just fragment ecosystems. It enables poaching, illegal logging, and other activities that harm wildlife,” Goossens added.
The coalition is urging the government to reconsider the highway alignment and prioritize alternative routes that avoid elephant habitats. They are also advocating for the creation of wildlife corridors and stricter enforcement to mitigate the impact.
The Sabah Wildlife Department has intensified anti-poaching patrols and enforcement efforts in recent years, but conservationists say these measures could be undermined if the highway cuts through critical wildlife areas.
“Every decision we make about infrastructure in this region has life-and-death consequences for these elephants,” Goossens said.
The proposed route, critics argue, could turn protected elephant habitats into high-risk zones, increasing their vulnerability not only to poaching but also to vehicle collisions.
The Coalition 3H, which includes organizations such as WWF Malaysia and the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, is calling for urgent action to safeguard the pygmy elephant population, warning that failure to act could leave these animals vulnerable to exploitation for generations to come. – January 28, 2025.
