PURSUING PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE

NATASHA ZULAIKHA binti ZAHIRUDIN 25 Conservation Scientist, Management and Ecology of Malaysian Elephants (MEME)

Future-oriented conservation scientist Natasha Zulaikha binti Zahirudin has engaged in multiple conservation projects since 2016 alongside Coralku Conservation, MyHutan and Reef Stakes, where efforts focus on environmental education and capacity building. As a PhD candidate with Management and Ecology of Malaysian Elephants ( MEME), her research interest is in human-elephant conflict mitigation in Peninsular Malaysia.

Natasha has identified a unique reality that will become more apparent in the coming years: “We will soon see more human and wildlife interaction. Many habitats have significantly diminished, replaced by buildings or plantations. Before long, we’re going to have to live in closer proximity with more wildlife and share a living space, or most of them will go extinct.”

In urban spaces, people will coexist with species like macaques or civet cats, but in locales closer to contiguous forests, big mammals like elephants or tigers become neighbours. “This is going to be a complex issue, and I have always been intrigued by how humans behave, hence my interest in understanding what it takes for us to coexist,” Natasha explains.

Using her social media platforms to advocate for conservation, Natasha delivers a powerful message. “We need to hold those in power more accountable and responsible for taking care of this planet. We can only do that if everyone plays a part. So, keep talking to your friends and family about environmental issues. We must remind everyone to be kind to this planet.”