RapportFondation_2026_V03 Pages LIGHT EN - Flipbook - Page 20
Protect & restore
2025 REPORT
BORNEO
©Sabah Wildlife Department
Protecting Sayang’s legacy
A future for the Bornean elephant
COMMITTED AMOUNT TO THIS DATE: € 8.564
WE CONTRIBUTE THROUGH THE TIME COMMITMENT OF OUR TEAMS.
2025 > PRESENT
The Bornean elephant, sometimes referred to as the “Pygmy elephant” due to its smaller size, is one of the most
threatened elephant subspecies in the world. Listed as “Critically Endangered” by the IUCN, only around 1,000
individuals are believed to remain in the forests of the island’s northeast. Habitat loss caused by urban expansion
and logging is increasing human–wildlife conflict, placing growing pressure on the species. Young elephants
are particularly vulnerable, as they can become separated from their herds and are sometimes found injured or
weakened.
In response to this situation, the Pairi Daiza
Foundation supports the Sabah Wildlife Department,
the Malaysian public authority responsible for the
protection of the species. This partnership is also closely
linked to the story of our elephant Sayang, who was
found alone and starving in 1996 at the edge of her
native forest. The programme supports rangers from
the Wildlife Rescue Unit in rescuing elephants in distress
and caring for orphaned calves. It also includes an
exchange of expertise between Pairi Daiza’s animal
care teams and local field staff.
©Sabah Wildlife Department
RECENT PROJECT ACHIEVEMENTS:
DURING A FIELD MISSION IN APRIL 2025, OUR ELEPHANT KEEPER, ROB CONACHIE, WAS
RECOGNISED BY THE DIRECTOR OF THE SABAH WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT FOR THE EXPERTISE
HE PROVIDED AND FOR THE PAIRI DAIZA FOUNDATION’S SUPPORT FOR CONSERVATION
EFFORTS IN THE FIELD. THIS RECOGNITION WAS PRESENTED AT THE FIRST BORNEO ELEPHANT
CONSERVATION SYMPOSIUM, HELD IN KOTA KINABALU, THE CAPITAL OF SABAH, IN
NORTHEASTERN BORNEO.
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