by Cassie Forsythe
WILDLIFE conservation has remained a steadfast priority, constantly evolving through new strategies and initiatives to ensure the continued survival of the state’s most iconic species. There was a time when wildlife in Sabah was viewed as a threat, an obstacle, or in some instances, a delicacy. But things have changed — though not entirely, as some challenges remain — for the better.
Years of effort to protect and preserve the state’s animals have gradually shifted public perception.
Today, herds of elephants, howling gibbons, egg-laying turtles, bellowing hornbills, and prowling clouded leopards are seen not just as wild creatures but as vital components of a thriving ecosystem.
Their presence is a constant reminder that caring for wildlife is a shared responsibility—one that protects nature while also supporting local livelihoods through tourism and education. According to the Wildlife Department, the rise in reports of wildlife sightings, conflict cases, and even wildlife crimes shows that more people are paying attention and actively helping to protect the environment.
The Sabah government, through the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah (KePKAS), has integrated wildlife protection into the current and future state agendas, focusing on biodiversity conservation, eco-tourism growth, and reducing human–wildlife conflict through community and policy-led efforts.
KePKAS Permanent Secretary Datuk Josie Lai said the Ministry’s role is to ensure that agencies like the Sabah Wildlife Department are well-resourced and supported to carry out their mandates effectively.
She said conservation is not a short-term campaign but a long-term state priority that requires policy consistency and collective effort.
Under RMK12, key progress included the upgraded elephant facilities at Lok Kawi Wildlife Park, updated Endangered Species Action Plans, and ongoing research on orangutans, Bornean elephants, and proboscis monkeys to guide conservation.
Public awareness has also grown through continuous education programmes, boosting community vigilance.
Building on these gains, Lai said emphasis will shift towards translating policy into stronger on-ground impact, through improved enforcement and closer cooperation among agencies.
A key priority will be the implementation of the Ten-Year Action Plan to Combat Wildlife Crime in Sabah – a state-level strategy designed to enhance investigation, prosecution, and intelligence capabilities in handling illegal hunting, trafficking, and possession of protected species.
For Sabah Wildlife Department Director Mohd Soffian Abu Bakar, the road ahead is both promising and challenging.
While awareness and enforcement have progressed, the realities on the ground remain complex.
“Poaching, illegal hunting, and the exploitation of wildlife for consumption or trade remain serious threats, despite ongoing awareness campaigns and tighter enforcement. Illegal snares and hunting not only deplete wildlife populations but also disrupt the ecological balance our environment depends on. At the same time,
habitat loss, fragmentation, and rising human–wildlife conflict continue to put increasing pressure on already vulnerable species,” he said.
As development expands, competition for space and food between humans and wildlife intensifies.
Fragmented forests limit animal movement and increase human–wildlife encounters, often causing property damage, crop loss, and potential disease risks.
“Maintaining ecological corridors and promoting coexistence strategies are vital for long-term success,” he said.
Mohd Soffian added that sustaining endangered species such as the Bornean banteng, Bornean elephant, orangutan, and sun bear also remains a major focus.
“These species face biological challenges like slow breeding rates and short lifespans. On top of that, climate change and pollution affect their habitats and food availability.
“Rescue and rehabilitation efforts help, but they also bring new responsibilities for welfare and long-term management,” he said.
Central to the Department’s conservation approach is involving those who live closest to nature – the local communities.
Through the Honorary Wildlife Warden programme, the Department trains local leaders, tourism operators, and plantation representatives to support enforcement of the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997.
Wardens are equipped with skills in law enforcement, conflict mitigation, turtle hatchery management, and public outreach, enabling them to serve as conservation ambassadors. Many also use digital tools like SMART and Survey123 for wildlife monitoring, patrols, and data collection.
“These honorary wardens are our eyes and ears on the ground. Their role is invaluable because they build bridges between the Department and the community,” Mohd Soffian explained.
This collaboration is exemplified by the Sugud Islands Marine Conservation Area (SIMCA), managed by long-time partner Reef Guardian. Covering 46,317 hectares about 80 km north of Sandakan, SIMCA serves as an important turtle nesting site and sanctuary for diverse marine life. In 2022, it became the first marine protected
area in Malaysia to be listed on the IUCN Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas.
Reef Guardian head Eddy Alberto said it was only befitting for the Department to engage stakeholders like him and his peers as Honorary Wildlife Wardens.
“They work closely with local communities and enforcement agencies, including the police, armed forces, and local authorities,” he said. “We see it as our duty to protect SIMCA, and the trust placed in us is an honour.”
Reef Guardian patrols the area, safeguarding turtle nesting sites and monitoring Lankayan, Tegaipil, and Billean islands. “We use radar to track boat movements around the clock, and any suspicious activity triggers a response from our 12-member enforcement team, which includes four honorary wildlife wardens,” he added.
These partnerships reflect how conservation has shifted from pure enforcement to a shared mission embraced by rangers, wardens, and local communities. This collaboration also operates at the institutional level, with the Wildlife Department, Sabah Parks, the Forestry Department, and enforcement agencies working together
to combat wildlife crime and protect habitats.
Through joint operations, intelligence-sharing, and research, these agencies coordinate enforcement and habitat restoration, reconnect forest corridors, establish grazing zones, and improve habitats for species like the Bornean banteng and elephant.
The Ministry has initiated a grass food corridor for Bornean elephants and backed RESPECT to undertake this initiative.
What began as a 0.4-hectare trial food pasture by RESPECT with support from Intrepid Foundation has now grown into thriving grass corridor along in lower Kinabatangan area including napier and barau grasses, thanks to support from Borneo Conservation Trust and local communities.
“By planting various types of grasses for the elephants, we’re creating natural grazing areas that keep elephants within their habitat,” said RESPECT chairman Alexander Yee.
“Because grasslands are scarce in the Kinabatangan, elephants often turn to oil palms for food. By planting grasses, and soon, wild figs, conservationists hope to keep them away from farms. The idea is already working: seven elephants, including a calf, were the first to feast on the crop, and over 20 have since been seen grazing
for hours at the expanded 13.5-hectare site along the lower Kinabatangan in Kampung Bilit,” he adds.
The concept is simple: give elephants their own “dining rooms,” and they’re less likely to raid plantations and homes of villagers.
The end goal is to create safe, connected habitats where wildlife can thrive. Aligned with RMK13, the Wildlife Department is boosting its field capacity to manage human–wildlife conflict involving elephants, crocodiles, and macaques, supported by better-equipped response teams and clear SOPs. It is also improving the management of state-owned ecotourism sites, allowing revenue to be reinvested into conservation for a more sustainable financing model.
KePKAS Permanent Secretary, emphasizes that ongoing initiatives reinforce the Sabah Government’s broader commitment to ensuring that conservation translates into tangible benefits for communities, ecosystem, and the state’s long-term sustainability.
“Every milestone achieved on the ground must lead to stronger systems, better coordination, skilled manpower, and sustainable funding. That’s the direction we’re reinforcing as we move forward under RMK13,” said Lai.
“Advancing species recovery and habitat protection will continue to drive the State’s conservation agenda, supported by research, monitoring, and active participation from all sectors.”
With the Wildlife Department leading field operations, guided by KePKAS’s policy direction and strengthened through community and NGO collaboration, Sabah’s conservation efforts remain cohesive and results-driven, with a clear goal to ensure the state’s rich wildlife continues to flourish under collective protection and effective
management for years to come.
