The Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) has kicked off a large-scale elephant translocation operation to address growing human-elephant conflict across Peninsular Malaysia. The year-long initiative, which began this month and will run through July 2026, aims to relocate 25 wild elephants from high-risk areas such as farms and villages to safer habitats.
Perhilitan director-general Datuk Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim said the Integrated Elephant Translocation Operation marks a more systematic and effective approach to mitigating such conflicts, with Johor as the first focus area.
“We are identifying and relocating herds that pose threats to local communities, especially in areas where property and crops have been damaged,” he said during the operation’s launch in Johor today.
The operation is being led by Johor Perhilitan and supported by the National Elephant Conservation Centre (NECC) in Kuala Gandah, Pahang, alongside teams from Perak, Kelantan, and Terengganu. The effort will include the use of drones, digital mapping, and early warning systems to ensure safety and efficiency during the translocations.
Abdul Kadir noted that the initiative is also part of broader efforts to support ecosystem restoration by managing elephant populations outside their natural range. It will also contribute to the collection of valuable data for future conservation policies.
Currently, Peninsular Malaysia is home to an estimated 1,300 wild elephants. Between 2020 and 2024, Perhilitan recorded nearly 5,000 human-elephant conflict incidents, causing an estimated RM39.4 million in damages—particularly in Johor, Kelantan, Perak, and Pahang.
The programme aligns with national conservation goals, including the National Elephant Conservation Action Plan (NECAP), the National Policy on Biological Diversity 2022–2030, and the National Forestry Policy. Johor has also contributed RM600,000 towards the operation, a move Abdul Kadir praised as a strong show of commitment to wildlife conservation.
