KOTA KINABALU: The Borneo
Elephant Sanctuary, which is set to open tomorrow, will have a key role in
protecting and conserving endangered Borneo pygmy elephants in Sabah.
While
helping to rehabilitate displaced and orphaned elephants and releasing them
back into the wild, the first and only sanctuary in Sabah will be the hub for
the conservation of the species and will create public awareness
Safe haven: A
mother elephant playing with her calf at the Kinabatangan wildlife sanctuary.
Sabah Wildlife Department director
Datuk Laurentius Ambu said the sanctuary in the Kinabatangan district in
Sabah’s east coast was in a natural habitat and specifically designed to rescue
elephants that were injured by humans or in an elephant fight.
“It
will also be home to orphaned elephants,” he added.
Ambu
said the sanctuary had become a reality because of major funding from the
Malaysian Palm Oil Council.
The
council, through its conservation fund, had pledged RM5.2mil for the sanctuary
and the department is looking forward to more funding once it starts operating.
Ambu
also thanked the Borneo Conservation Trust Japan which provided some RM1.6mil
for the construction of the first phase of the sanctuary.
Source: The Star Online - Published: Wednesday September 18, 2013
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