KINABATANGAN: Plantation owners must from now ensure that pond structures in their area have proper mitigation measures following a recent elephant rescue operation.
A total of 11 elephants, including a calf, were rescued after being trapped in a pond within the FGV Cepat Ringgit B plantation area near the Deramakot Forest Reserve.
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State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said the incident raised concerns over hazardous structures located near wildlife movement corridors, particularly for the endangered Bornean pygmy elephant.
He said preliminary information from the Sabah Wildlife Department indicated that the incident occurred within the plantation area itself, although it remained unclear whether the elephants had entered the pond voluntarily or fallen into it.
“As Minister, I am deeply concerned by the incident, and am relieved that all elephants were successfully rescued without any serious injuries or fatalities.
“Swift action was taken by the department together with the plantation management by directing that the pond embankment be flattened to allow the elephants to crawl out safety,” he said, Tuesday.
Jafry commended the department, field rangers, plantation personnel and all parties involved for their fast and professional response in handling the situation.
He said the incident served as an important reminder that ponds, trenches and other hazardous structures near wildlife corridors continued to pose risks to Sabah’s wildlife.
Following the incident, he said the department had instructed plantation operators to ensure that similar pond structures were not developed without proper mitigation measures.
“Where ponds are necessary, at least one side of the embankment must be constructed with a gradual slope instead of steep vertical walls to allow wildlife to escape safely should such incidents occur.
“There is also a possibility that the elephants had entered the pond voluntarily due to the current hot weather, as elephants seek water to cool their body temperature through wallowing and bathing activities,” Jafry said.
He added that the department would continue working closely with plantation operators, local communities and conservation partners to strengthen wildlife protection measures and improve rapid response capabilities.
He said efforts would also focus on ensuring that similar development activities near ecological corridors will be carried out responsibly and sustainably.
“Protecting Sabah’s biodiversity is a shared responsibility.
“This successful rescue demonstrates the importance of early reporting, cooperation and collective commitment in ensuring these endangered species continue to thrive for future generations,” he said.
