KOTA KINABALU: A group of elephant specialists from around the world will gather in the state capital for three days starting today to discuss the priorities and strategies for the conservation of Asian elephants.
Dubbed as the 10th meeting of the IUCN SSC Asian Elephant Specialist Group (AsESG), the event is jointly hosted by AsESG and the Sabah Wildlife Department.
“The meeting is being organised at a resort here in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. AsESG members, government officials from all 13 Asian elephant range countries, special invitees from across the globe and funding agencies will attend the meeting,” read the AsESG website.
AsESG is a global network of specialists concerned with the study, monitoring, management, and conservation of Asian Elephants (Elephas maximus) in its 13 Range States across Asia.
They are aiming to promote the long-term conservation of Asia's elephants and the recovery of the species populations.
Tomorrow, Sabah Chief Minister Mohd Shafie Apdal and his deputy Datuk Christina Liew are also expected to launch the meeting.
Following the dwindling population of elephants in Sabah, with more than 20 of them being poached or them killing each other this year, the state government is hoping to collaborate with all stakeholders in saving the species.
In 2002, the elephant population in Sabah was estimated to be between 1,100 and 1,600.
Sabah Wildlife Department will be doing a survey worth RM1.5 million on pygmy elephants and orangutans for 24 months ending 2022.