July 16, 2025
PETALING JAYA – With human-elephant conflicts racking up nearly RM40mil in losses over the past four years, conservationists are urging a rethink of how Malaysia handles its wildlife, beyond translocation.
Malaysian Ecological Association president Prof Dr Ahmad Ismail said that such conflicts have been a long standing issue, which means that comprehensive strategies are necessary.
“Elephant translocation has been conducted by Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) for many years. While they likely have data on the success of these efforts in terms of the elephants’ survival in new areas and conflict reduction, the conflicts remain unresolved.”
Prof Ahmad stressed on the importance of understanding the biology, behaviour, and ecology of elephants in the wild to effectively manage their habitats.
“Strengthening ecological corridors and enhancing collaboration with state governments are crucial to supporting elephant populations and reducing conflicts with humans.”
Prof Ahmad acknowledged the significance of community involvement, though he questioned its current effectiveness.
He said that past research by Perhilitan could offer insights into elephant management.
On Monday, Perhilitan launched a special operation to translocate 25 elephants across Peninsular Malaysia, with Johor being the first state to carry it out.
It will then continue in other states affected by the conflict.
About 25 wild elephants will be involved in the exercise by July next year.
There have been 4,920 elephant-human related complaints between 2020 and 2024.
This led to losses amounting to RM39.4mil with Johor, Kelantan, Pahang, Perak and Terengganu being most affected.
Ecotourism and Conservation Society Malaysia president and chief executive officer Andrew Sebastian said that natural landscapes are already limited in the peninsula.
“There doesn’t seem to be any other place for wild elephants to roam.
“The elephants and all other forms of wildlife were here first.”
Their relocation or translocation should be done only when absolutely necessary,” he said.
The government, he said, needs to prioritise funding for wildlife and natural resources agencies to protect the remaining forests and its inhabitants.