An NGO has raised concerns over plans to privatise the management of the Borneo Elephant Sanctuary (BES) in Kinabatangan.
Seratu Aatai director Dr. Nurzhafarina Othman said the move risks prioritising profits over elephant welfare.
“Short-term fixes won’t solve issues like habitat loss or improving care for captive elephants,” she said.
She also questioned the lack of transparency, as the company’s credentials and intentions remain unclear.
The Captive Elephant Management Plan (CEMP), developed by the Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD), already outlines steps to improve elephant care, she said.
“This decision risks undermining SWD’s ongoing efforts and wasting critical resources,” Nurzhafarina added.
The CEMP, created with global experts, will launch in April to tackle elephant welfare and conservation.
Sabah Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew said the private firm will work with SWD to improve BES operations, as well as the elephant corridor project, and care for rescued elephants.
(Video) Sabah achieves elephant conservation milestone with new MoU
Opened in 2013, BES has faced criticism for its poor conditions, prompting calls for better oversight.
The NGO urged authorities to avoid turning conservation into a business and to focus on sustainable, long-term solutions. – January 18, 2025.
