Written by Communications, MPOCC

Among all the subspecies of Asian elephants, the Borneo pygmy elephant is the smallest when it comes to size.[1] The subspecies can only be found on Borneo Island, making it an endemic species.[1] Ever since the Borneo pygmy elephant has been isolated from other Asian elephants, which is approximately 300,000 years ago, they have become smaller than their native counterparts. However, when comparing them to other Asian elephants, they possess distinctive features such as ears that are proportionally bigger, straighter tusks, and lengthy tails.[1]

The existence of Borneo pygmy elephants is under threat as there are only about 1,500 of the subspecies left in the wild.[1] To prevent the elephants from facing extinction, efforts have been made by Malaysia in order to ensure their survival. An example can be seen with the establishment of the conservative forest, Heart of Borneo, through a voluntary transboundary cooperation by Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei Darussalam.

MSPO Standards plays a role in the conservation of Borneo pygmy elephants. MSPO has been undergoing continuous improvements to strengthen its standards and align them with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The Principle 5 of MSPO Standards focuses on the environment, natural resources, biodiversity and ecosystems services. These naturally include the endangered species such as the Borneo pygmy elephants.

MPOCC’s condemnation of elephant poachers was evident when a Borneo pygmy elephant was found dead on September 25, 2019 with 70 bullet wounds in its body as it is shattering the efforts in securing Borneo’s biodiversity. The organisation commended the swift action that was taken by the Sabah Police in tracing and apprehending the perpetrators. The elephant may have died near an oil palm plantation, but the retrieval of tusks by the authorities highlighted the true intention of the crime. Not only was it shot multiple times, but its tusks were also sawn off from its face. Such cruel killing goes completely against MSPO’s Standards of biodiversity conservation.

Sources:

1. About Borneo Pygmy Elephants - https://globalconservation.org/species-facing-extinction/borneo-pygmy-elephant/