The Bornean elephants, the smallest subspecies of the Asian elephant, are facing extinction due to habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict.
1. Introduction
• Bornean elephants are a subspecies of Asian elephants found only on Borneo island.
• They are the smallest elephants in the world, with a gentler nature compared to other species.
• Their population is estimated to be fewer than 1,000 in the wild.
• The Bornean elephant is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
2. Reasons for Endangerment
• Habitat Loss: Over 60% of forests have been destroyed due to logging and palm oil plantations.
• Human-Wildlife Conflict: Elephants stray into farms due to habitat destruction, leading to retaliatory killings.
• Poaching & Accidental Deaths: Between 2010 and 2020, 131 elephants were killed in Sabah, Malaysia, due to poisoning or hunting.
