Call to put info on Sabah jumbo deaths on Internet
KOTA KINABALU: The Protem Chairman of RESPonsible Elephant Conservation Trust (Respect), Alexander Yee has proposed that the Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) put up information on the cases of elephant deaths on the Internet.
He said that the department could set up an independent website or create another page at their present department’s website focusing on the elephant deaths which will also include information about the site where the elephants’ corpses were found, and the rewards given (if any) to person(s) providing information that leads to the capture of the elephant killer.
Alexander said this in response to an allegation made by an unnamed ‘local wildlife expert’ on an online news portal that the department has not been transparent as there was no public data or information provided on the animal deaths.
“We are very concerned over reports on the deaths of the elephants, especially the brutal attack of a jumbo in Tongod. It once again raises the need for every stakeholder and people to play their role in helping the conservation of our endangered elephants,” he said in a statement.
He also reminded that everyone has a role to help build awareness on the serious need for conservation and not just leave the responsibility to the authorities and place the blame on any single authority or individual.
“There is a need for people especially in the east coast areas of Sabah where elephants roam to come forward and provide information on poachers or other individuals who might be directly or indirectly behind the deaths,” he said.
Alexander also commented on the allegation of the department not being transparent in providing data on the jumbo deaths.
“I believe that everyone in the field is helping out in the conservation of our elephants and are aware of all efforts involved in saving the elephants.
"The Wildlife department is rather transparent. We just need to engage more with them,” he said.
Alexander has had close collaborations with the Sabah Wildlife Department for over 10 years in Kinabatangan (through tourism association KiTA, of which he is president).
Alexander is also in the midst of setting up a trust aimed at protecting the natural habitat of elephants.
“In our effort to work together with Sabah Wildlife Department and the Sabah Forestry Department, we have submitted the required documents for the setting up of a trust focusing on elephant habitat management - Respect, RESPonsible Elephant Conservation Trust and it is in the process of being formed,” added Alexander who will be the chairman of Respect.