JRTB elephant haven set for 2030 launch
IPOH: The Perak Elephant Sanctuary at East-West Highway (JRTB) is expected to be completed by 2030, says Perak's Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) director Yusoff Shariff.
He said the RM40mil project was submitted to the Economy Ministry on May 6, and the decision on its construction falls entirely under the jurisdiction of the Federal Government.
'If everything goes smoothly, I think this sanctuary can operate as early as in 2028, but for (the infrastructure facility) to be fully completed, perhaps 2030 is a more realistic target.
'With the availability of such a facility, it will reduce human-elephant conflicts at JRTB by about 50%,' he said.
Bernama reported on July 18, 2020, that the Energy and Natural Resources Ministry announced the development of the Perak Elephant Sanctuary at Batu 11, JRTB in Gerik.
Based on Perhilitan's records, 4,919 complaints of human-elephant conflicts were reported between 2020 and 2024, with property loss estimated at RM39.4mil.
On the effectiveness of a wildlife crossing at JRTB, Yusoff said the 200m underpass (viaduct) that was built for RM26mil in 2015 proved helpful, but does not guarantee the safety of elephants that inhabited the area along the route.
He added that this was because the crossing was built at KM157 of the JRTB, and only used by elephants living nearby.
'The viaduct only helps on a small scale, and is only used by animals inhabiting that area. So, we feel that the setting up of a sanctuary will provide greater safety assurance for both road users and elephants at JRTB,' he said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
Jumbo rampage destroys crops
Compiled by FAZLEENA AZIZ, TAN SIN CHOW AND R. ARAVINTHAN A HERD of wild elephants has wreaked havoc on a coconut plantation in Johor, destroying 6,000 trees and causing estimated losses of RM1.8mil over the past nine months, Kosmo! reported. The intrusions, which began in October last year, have devastated the Sedili Kechil Food Production Zone in Kota Tinggi involving crops cultivated by 32 entrepreneurs and six farming organisations. Pengerang Area Farmers' Organisation managing director Mohamad Azhar Din said 6,171 coconut trees were damaged. 'These elephants are believed to roam in small groups of three to five and typically strike during the night until dawn,' he said, adding that the most recent incidents on June 16 and 17 destroyed 380 trees and caused RM90,000 in losses. 'Those trees were planted in late 2023 and expected to begin bearing fruit by the end of next year.' He said numerous mitigation efforts had been implemented, including building fences and drainage systems and conducting patrols, as recommended by the Wildlife and National Parks Department. He warned that continued attacks by the elephants could undermine the state government's agrofood development. Previously, the plantation had only faced threats from monkeys, wild boars and rats. > Popular entertainer Nabil Ahmad has touched hearts online with his plan to transform his family home in Mambau, Negri Sembilan, into a madrasah. The multi-talented 42-year-old, whose full name is Ahmad Nabil Ahmad, shared on social media that the dream is close to becoming a reality. 'My mother had expressed her desire for our family home to become a madrasah for religious learning and events. 'She also hoped it could provide a source of income for our family as the land is ours,' he told Berita Harian. He said renovations are slated to start early next year, with the existing home to be demolished in order to make way for a small mosque. 'I also plan to build a tahfiz and provide accommodation for students and the ustaz. For starters, we will accept only male students and offer free Quran classes,' he said. Nabil added that he would consult the Negri Sembilan Islamic Religious Council on the process of land endowment and official establishment of the madrasah. (The above articles are compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with a >, it denotes a separate news item.)
Daily Express
15-06-2025
- Daily Express
Captive breeding a success but not all can be released
Published on: Sunday, June 15, 2025 Published on: Sun, Jun 15, 2025 Text Size: Malayan Tiger (left pic) and Milky Stork. CAPTIVE breeding programmes aim to increase population numbers of threatened species under controlled conditions. In Malaysia, government-backed efforts through Perhilitan (Department of Wildlife and National Parks) and partnerships with zoos such as Zoo Negara Malaysia have focused on species like the Malayan tiger and milky stork. These controlled environments allow for the careful monitoring of health, genetic diversity and breeding success while also serving as valuable spaces for research and public education. Advertisement Through coordinated national efforts, particularly by Zoo Negara and Perhilitan, captive breeding has resulted in measurable successes with several endangered species, notably the Malayan tiger, milky stork and false gharial, which have all seen population boosts within zoo facilities. The Malayan tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni) not only stands as a powerful national symbol but also as a grim reminder of how quickly a species can vanish. Fewer than 150 individuals are believed to remain in the wild, threatened by habitat fragmentation, poaching and a declining prey base. As such, Zoo Negara has made the Malayan tiger one of its conservation priorities. Over the years, it has successfully bred several tiger cubs under controlled conditions, ensuring careful attention to genetics, health and behavioural development. These births do more than grow numbers; they represent hope for future reintroduction programmes for a critically endangered population. The milky stork (Mycteria cinerea), which used to thrive in Malaysia's mangroves and wetlands, has also suffered due to rapid coastal development and habitat degradation. Now endangered, the species requires both habitat protection and population support. Zoo Negara has been a leader in the milky stork captive breeding programme, having bred over 100 individuals to date. These birds are raised in carefully designed aviaries that replicate their natural nesting and foraging conditions. A portion of the captive-bred storks has already been reintroduced into managed wetlands such as in Kuala Gula in Perak. This programme demonstrates how avian conservation can succeed when breeding is paired with ecosystem restoration. The false gharial (Tomistoma schlegelii), a long-snouted crocodilian native to Malaysia's peat swamp forests, plays a vital role in freshwater ecosystems. It is also classified as vulnerable due to wetland destruction and human-wildlife conflict. Zoo Negara has taken on the unique challenge of breeding the false gharial, a species rarely reproduced in captivity due to its elusive nature and specific environmental needs. Successful hatchings have occurred at the zoo. Each new hatchling represents a step forward in understanding and protecting this ancient species, and highlights the importance of conserving Malaysia's freshwater ecosystems as a whole. Zoo Negara's breeding programmes are coordinated with national and regional conservation strategies to ensure that any captive-born animals have a potential role in future reintroduction plans. However, not all animals bred in captivity can or should be released. Issues such as behavioural deficiency, genetic bottlenecks and exposure to human environments can hinder reintroduction success. Some individuals serve better as educational ambassadors to help the public understand the fragility of Malaysia's ecosystems, inspiring support for conservation. When paired with effective legislation, public education and scientific collaboration, captive breeding can yield real conservation results. Malaysia has demonstrated that it can be a regional leader in this field. With continued support, integrated planning and political will, the country can ensure that future generations will not only see these animals in zoos but also hear them roar, fly, or swim in the wild where they really belong. Dr Amalina Salleh Education Department Zoo Negara Malaysia The views expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of the Daily Express. If you have something to share, write to us at: [email protected]
Focus Malaysia
14-06-2025
- Focus Malaysia
A mother's love: Elephant refuses to leave injured calf's side
A BABY elephant, caught in a cruel snare near Felda Neram Satu, Terengganu, lay injured and helpless—its tiny frame twisted in pain. Yet beside it was the mother, unmoving and loyal, refusing to leave as though pleading for mercy. In a viral 44-second TikTok video, the mother's silent vigil moved thousands. Thanks to a quick call by local resident Mohamad Affendi Alwi, wildlife rangers rescued the calf. It survived, but the emotional weight of the moment lingered, particularly with another recent viral video of a mother standing still with her infant's dead body. 'After seeing the elephants, I immediately contacted the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan). Alhamdulillah, they did not take long to arrive and carry out the rescue operation,' Mohamad Affendi Alwi said. According to him, the rescue efforts by Perhilitan officers successfully freed the baby elephant from the snare, and it was released back into its natural habitat. Just days earlier, on May 11, a similar scene unfolded on Malaysia's East-West Highway, but this one ended in heartbreak. A juvenile elephant, only five years old, was fatally struck by a lorry in the early hours of the morning. A passing driver filmed the aftermath. The mother elephant, grief-stricken, pressed her head against the lorry that crushed her child, as if trying to nudge it away. She stayed there for hours, unwilling to accept the loss until wildlife officers sedated her and guided her back into the forest. Netizens expressed sorrow at the footage, especially given the timing since the tragedy occurred on Mother's Day. —June 14, 2025 Main image: Sinar Harian
