Incepted just over a decade ago in the heart-filled realm of Thailand, ‘World Elephant Day’ makes a grand stride towards elevating global awareness about these grand mammals while rallying robust support around the intricate issues they grapple with. It hails the doctrine of collective exertions at its epicenter, aspiring to incite a vigorous amalgamation of governments, private sectors, societal configurations, and citizens towards the conservation endeavors for these wild beasts.
“World Elephant Day is hinged on the spirit of global unity and meaningful collective action,” shared Natalie Phaholyothin, the dynamic CEO of WWF-Thailand. She believes in the power of partnership for breaking the solitary barriers that barricade the path towards addressing the challenges elephants endure in South-East Asia.
Though endangered worldwide, the Asian elephants find themselves specifically targeted in the Southeast Asian regions and China, with only approximately 8,000 to 11,000 of these majestic creatures dispersed across the eight range countries, including Cambodia, the southern expanses of China, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam. The menace of habitat destruction and fragmentation, unsettling human-elephant conflict, rampant poaching, along with the isolation of petite populations have reignited sharp declines throughout the region. Moreover, national populations have been plunged to alarmingly low figures, with a few lonesome individuals isolated entirely from their kind.
“The Asian elephant, while physically large, holds an even larger space in the cultural panorama and indigenous identity of the region,” declared Lan Mercado, the Regional Director of WWF-Asia Pacific. She insists that it is paramount to overturn the negative trajectory while maneuvering the delicate balance between the elephants and the local communities who have shared their habitat for centuries. She cites the need for ‘Elly Allies,’ sympathizers who can contribute towards these efforts.
With the nearing doom of regional population declines, WWF intends to collaborate with influential stakeholders who can spearhead a positive change for elephant conservation in Southeast Asia and China. The banner of this regional initiative hoists high the agenda of working harmoniously in favor of conservation models that hold potential benefits for both elephants and humans.
One such case study is the ‘living landscapes’ approach piloted in Sabah, Malaysia. A collaborative endeavor by a private agricultural company, WWF, and the local government aims to ensure continued habitat connectivity and plentiful food resources for the native Bornean elephants. This translates into lesser crop loss for local settlements and the company, consequently ameliorating habitats for elephants and other wildlife species.
“Elephants have captivated the panorama of Asia since time immemorial and have an inherent right to persist,” opined Nilanga Jayasinghe, WWF’s Focal Point for Asian Elephants. They are regarded as a magnificent keystone species and bring a multitude of advantages to people and wildlife inhabiting their shared ecosystems. However, their elemental worth as the largest land mammal in Asia is invaluable. The act of preserving elephants carries profound implications – it fosters equilibrium within their ecosystems, conserves cultural values, and most importantly, lends them an opportunity to flourish in their wild existence.”
WWF, over the years, has made significant strides towards wild elephant conservation in Southeast Asia and China, specifically leveraging the Asian Rhino and Elephant Action Strategy (AREAS) programme from 2000 to 2015. The Asian Elephant Alliance is yet another add-on, intensifying these efforts through ongoing collaborative initiatives and the enduring endeavors of innumerable other contributors. Their unwavering efforts aim to safeguard elephant habitats, ameliorate human-elephant conflict, combat poaching, and enhance our comprehension of the current status of elephants in these locales.
WWF extends its appeal to all to partake in its conservation endeavors and become an Elly Ally. Let’s together support the conservation of Asian elephants, gain more knowledge about this wondrous species, and amplify awareness to ensure their survival and prosperity.
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