Latest news with #SeratuAatai
The Star
20 hours ago
- Science
- The Star
Recognised for work on elephants
Nurzhafarina showing the skeleton of an elephant that died in Kinabatangan, now on display at UMS Tropical Biology and Conservation Institute gallery in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. — Bernama FOR over two decades, Dr Nurzhafarina Othman's life has been inextricably linked with the Bornean elephant, particularly in Sabah's Lower Kinabatangan. What began in 2003 as a conservation biology degree at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) evolved into a profound mission to understand and conserve South-East Asia's largest land mammal. Now a senior lecturer at UMS Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation, Nurzhafarina dedicates her life to studying every aspect of these gentle giants, whose future faces increasing threats. Her unwavering commitment to elephant conservation, especially through her leadership as founder and director of non-profit Seratu Aatai, recently garnered global recognition. In April, Nurzhafarina was honoured with the prestigious Whitley Award, widely known as the 'Green Oscar', as testament to her impactful work. Speaking to Bernama, she shared the unique and powerful bond that formed between her and the elephants during her fieldwork. These encounters revealed their sensitive, affectionate and intelligent nature, challenging common misconceptions. 'There's a feeling that we chose each other. It's as if I was meant to be part of their story,' she mused, recalling how her initial academic pursuit transformed into a deeper calling. Nurzhafarina recounts never experiencing aggression from the pachyderms. Instead, her presence was met with calm, as if they recognised her role as a protector, not an intruder. 'The elephants gave me their time,' she said, detailing how she came to know 50 individual females by sight, even naming them, over four years. The Sabah-based lecturer from Kedah emphasised that elephants don't 'attack' or 'invade'; rather, humans have encroached into their territories. This fundamental truth fuels her lifelong mission: to foster harmonious coexistence between humans and elephants. Founded in 2018, Seratu Aatai, which means 'united in heart' in the Sungai language, actively works with local communities through education and outreach. It aims to promote empathy and awareness for elephants and all wildlife. Seratu Aatai remains the only conservation group in Sabah solely dedicated to protecting the Bornean elephant (Elephas maximus borneensis) in Lower Kinabatangan, a rich biodiverse region also home to the orang utan, sun bear and proboscis monkey. Witnessing the elephants' struggle to navigate their fragmented natural habitats surrounded by human activity was a pivotal moment for her. It ignited her resolve to be a voice for these creatures, bridging the gap between human development and animal preservation. Receiving the Whitley Award 2025 was an emotional experience. Presented by the UK-based Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN), the award is highly competitive and globally recognised. On April 30, she accepted the £50,000 (RM287,000) award from WFN patron Princess Anne at the Royal Geographical Society in London, England. This award validates her efforts to protect the estimated 300 remaining Bornean elephants in eastern Sabah. It also acknowledges her innovative approach of engaging the palm oil industry in Lower Kinabatangan to adopt elephant- friendly practices and establish safe corridors for the world's smallest elephant species. 'This award comes with great responsibility,' said Nurzhafarina expressing gratitude for the platform it provided to highlight the elephants' plight and affirm the work of those in the field. For her, conservation is a heartfelt expression of gratitude for the opportunity to protect these endangered species. While acknowledging the challenges of uniting all parties, she hopes local communities will join her in this mission, believing Kinabatangan can symbolise human-wildlife harmony. 'Sabah and Borneo are renowned for their natural wealth. So we must find a balance between development and environmental conservation,' she added.
Daily Express
28-05-2025
- Science
- Daily Express
Kinabatangan woman's bond with jumbos wins recognition
Published on: Wednesday, May 28, 2025 Published on: Wed, May 28, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: Nurzhafarina receiving the 2025 Whitley Fund for Nature award from WFN patron Princess Anne at the Royal Geographical Society in London April 30. (Pic: Facebook/Seratu Aatai) Kota Kinabalu: It was as if destiny had written her path. For over two decades, Nurzhafarina Othman's life journey in Sabah has been deeply intertwined with the majestic presence of the Bornean elephant, particularly within the lush, tropical rainforests of the Lower Kinabatangan. What began in 2003 as a decision to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Conservation Biology at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) unexpectedly opened the door to an entirely new world, one that allowed her to understand, in a profoundly holistic way, the ecology, social structure and behaviour of the largest land mammal in South-east Asia. The native of Kedah has since dedicated her life to studying every aspect of the Bornean elephant's life cycle as a senior lecturer at the UMS Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation, playing a vital role in the conservation of these gentle giants, whose future is increasingly threatened. Her journey is even more inspiring with her leadership as the founder and director of Seratu Aatai, a non-profit dedicated to elephant conservation, an unwavering commitment that earned global recognition in April when she was awarded the prestigious Whitley Award, often known as the 'Green Oscars'. Speaking to Bernama, she shared how a unique and powerful bond naturally formed between her and the elephants during her encounters in the field, which revealed a side of the species many never see, sensitive, affectionate and intelligent creatures capable of deep emotional expression. It is a connection built not just on science, but on mutual respect and understanding, that continues to shape her mission to protect these extraordinary animals and the fragile ecosystems they call home. Advertisement 'There's a feeling that we chose each other. At first, studying Bornean elephants was just a means to complete my degree. But the more time I spent with them, it felt as though they were telling me to stay,' said the young scientist softly in a recent exclusive interview. 'There has always been an opportunity to learn, to understand them more deeply. It's as if I was meant to be part of their story,' she added with a quiet conviction. As she recounted her journey, Nurzhafarina shared that she has never experienced aggression from the pachyderms; instead, her presence has always been met with calm, almost as if her wild and resilient companions recognised that she was not there to intrude, but to help protect and preserve their world. 'The elephants gave me their time. I spent so much of it with them that I came to know 50 individual females by sight. I even named each one. I followed them for four years. I felt accepted, and at the same time, I kept learning from them. 'We often misunderstand them. Elephants don't attack. Yet we use words like 'attack' or say they 'invade' our space. But I don't think those words are fair because the truth is, they were here long before us,' she explained. It's this quiet truth that fuels Nurzhafarina's lifelong mission to help humans and elephants coexist with understanding and respect, as she believes that local communities sharing the same landscape with Bornean elephants must learn to live in harmony, not through fear, but through tolerance and empathy. Founded in 2018, Seratu Aatai, which means 'united in heart' in the Sungai language, works closely with these communities through education and outreach to promote deeper awareness and compassion, not just for elephants, but for all forms of wildlife. Seratu Aatai is the only conservation group in Sabah solely dedicated to the protection of the Bornean elephant (Elephas maximus borneensis) in Lower Kinabatangan, a rich, biodiverse region over 300 kilometres from Kota Kinabalu, also home to orangutans, sun bears and the iconic proboscis monkey. The first time Nurzhafarina witnessed the reality of life for Bornean elephants in the wild, it changed her perspective forever. She saw not just the beauty of these gentle giants, but the struggle they face in navigating what little remains of their natural home, forests now surrounded and fragmented by human activity. That moment stirred something deep within her, a calling to become a voice for the elephants, a bridge between human and animal, so these creatures might continue to play their vital role in the forest ecosystem and the wider balance of nature. Speaking about her recent recognition as a recipient of the Whitley Award 2025, Nurzhafarina admitted it was difficult to put her emotions into words. Presented by the UK-based Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN), the award is known for its intense competitiveness and global prestige. On April 30, she received the £50,000 (approximately RM287,000) award from WFN Patron Princess Anne at the Royal Geographical Society in London, as a powerful endorsement of her work to protect the estimated 300 remaining Bornean elephants in eastern Sabah. The award also recognises her innovative approach in engaging stakeholders in the oil palm industry across the Lower Kinabatangan, encouraging elephant-friendly practices and building a network of safe corridors for the world's smallest elephant species. 'This award comes with great responsibility. I am grateful to the Whitley platform because it opens up more opportunities for me to share the story of the Bornean elephants. It also gives confidence to everyone working in the field that we are truly on the right path,' she said. For her, this is not just a career, it is a heartfelt expression of gratitude for the knowledge and skills she has been given to protect the Bornean elephant, a species classified as 'Endangered' on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List. While she acknowledges that uniting all parties in the conservation effort is challenging, Nurzhafarina hopes the local communities will join her in this vital mission. She believes it is essential to preserve Kinabatangan as a symbol of harmony and coexistence between humans and wildlife. 'I see Kinabatangan as a very special place. Despite the many challenges in maintaining wildlife habitats, this region remains resilient and strong. 'Sabah and Borneo are renowned for their natural wealth, with forests and wildlife that exist nowhere else. This is what draws people here. So, we must find a balance between development and environmental conservation,' she emphasised. Her words echo a deep bond, not only with the elephants she protects but with the land they share, reminding us all of the delicate harmony that sustains life in this unique corner of the world. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Wildlife expert makes bold move to protect elephants using unconventional method: 'We need to create a consortium'
Dr. Farina Othman's unconventional plan to save the world's smallest elephants in Malaysia is also benefiting the farming communities experiencing increased conflicts with the creatures. As detailed by CNN, Dr. Othman founded the conservation organization Seratu Aatai in 2018 to raise awareness about the plight of the Bornean elephant, an endangered species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List. Extensive habitat loss — primarily due to logging and palm oil plantations — has led to more human-elephant interactions, resulting in damaged crops and buildings along with the deaths of more than 100 elephants from retribution killings and accidental poisonings. Dr. Othman told CNN that many farmers held a "not in my backyard" attitude when it came to dealing with the creatures. However, they also understood that elephants play a vital role in the natural world, acting as ecosystem engineers as they spread seeds through their droppings. That common ground served as a launching point for wildlife corridors, which can help wildlife move safely from Point A to Point B while also reducing the possibility of human-animal conflict. "As planters, they actually know the need of preserving biodiversity and also the health of the soil, because this is all contributing back to the trees that they're planting," Dr. Othman said. Now, a number of farmers are planting native trees alongside their oil palms, and they are incorporating plants elephants like to eat on the preferred corridor routes. Othman and her team also plan to educate larger plantations on sustainable farming and pest control as they eye reducing the number of unintentional poisonings. This spring, the Whitley Fund for Nature honored Dr. Othman for her "elephant-friendly" approach to fostering coexistence, which may inspire a new generation of companies and individuals to take action and invest in supporting and protecting endangered animals like the Bornean elephant. Dr. Othman hopes her efforts will ultimately result in a protected corridor network. "If only one plantation wants to do this, it won't work. We need to create a consortium of several plantations so that we can connect this corridor back to the wildlife sanctuary," she told CNN. Do you think people should be allowed to keep exotic animals as pets? Yes No It depends on the animal It depends on the person Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. In a video for the Whitley Award's April 30 event, she also shared she is "super optimistic" about the future of the Bornean elephants — and the communities near where they reside. "The road ahead is long and bumpy, but something is changing," Dr. Othman said in a letter dedicated to the elephants at the awards ceremony, where she was presented with the £50,000 prize (around $56,705). "Many people are opening their mind and most importantly their heart." Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Malay Mail
25-05-2025
- Science
- Malay Mail
Kinabatangan's elephant whisperer earns global honour for Borneo conservation
KOTA KINABALU, May 26 — It was as if destiny had written her path. For over two decades, Nurzhafarina Othman's life journey in Sabah has been deeply intertwined with the majestic presence of the Bornean elephant, particularly within the lush, tropical rainforests of the Lower Kinabatangan. What began in 2003 as a decision to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Conservation Biology at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) unexpectedly opened the door to an entirely new world, one that allowed her to understand, in a profoundly holistic way, the ecology, social structure and behaviour of the largest land mammal in South-east Asia. The native of Kedah has since dedicated her life to studying every aspect of the Bornean elephant's life cycle as a senior lecturer at the UMS Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation, playing a vital role in the conservation of these gentle giants, whose future is increasingly threatened. Her journey is even more inspiring with her leadership as the founder and director of Seratu Aatai, a non-profit dedicated to elephant conservation, an unwavering commitment that earned global recognition in April when she was awarded the prestigious Whitley Award, often known as the 'Green Oscars'. Speaking to Bernama, she shared how a unique and powerful bond naturally formed between her and the elephants during her encounters in the field, which revealed a side of the species many never see, sensitive, affectionate and intelligent creatures capable of deep emotional expression. It is a connection built not just on science, but on mutual respect and understanding, that continues to shape her mission to protect these extraordinary animals and the fragile ecosystems they call home. 'There's a feeling that we chose each other. At first, studying Bornean elephants was just a means to complete my degree. But the more time I spent with them, it felt as though they were telling me to stay,' said the young scientist softly in a recent exclusive interview. 'There has always been an opportunity to learn, to understand them more deeply. It's as if I was meant to be part of their story,' she added with a quiet conviction. As she recounted her journey, Nurzhafarina shared that she has never experienced aggression from the pachyderms; instead, her presence has always been met with calm, almost as if her wild and resilient companions recognised that she was not there to intrude, but to help protect and preserve their world. 'The elephants gave me their time. I spent so much of it with them that I came to know 50 individual females by sight. I even named each one. I followed them for four years. I felt accepted, and at the same time, I kept learning from them. 'We often misunderstand them. Elephants don't attack. Yet we use words like 'attack' or say they 'invade' our space. But I don't think those words are fair because the truth is, they were here long before us,' she explained. It's this quiet truth that fuels Nurzhafarina's lifelong mission to help humans and elephants coexist with understanding and respect, as she believes that local communities sharing the same landscape with Bornean elephants must learn to live in harmony, not through fear, but through tolerance and empathy. Founded in 2018, Seratu Aatai, which means 'united in heart' in the Sungai language, works closely with these communities through education and outreach to promote deeper awareness and compassion, not just for elephants, but for all forms of wildlife. Seratu Aatai is the only conservation group in Sabah solely dedicated to the protection of the Bornean elephant (Elephas maximus borneensis) in Lower Kinabatangan, a rich, biodiverse region over 300 kilometres from Kota Kinabalu, also home to orangutans, sun bears and the iconic proboscis monkey. The first time Nurzhafarina witnessed the reality of life for Bornean elephants in the wild, it changed her perspective forever. She saw not just the beauty of these gentle giants, but the struggle they face in navigating what little remains of their natural home, forests now surrounded and fragmented by human activity. That moment stirred something deep within her, a calling to become a voice for the elephants, a bridge between human and animal, so these creatures might continue to play their vital role in the forest ecosystem and the wider balance of nature. Speaking about her recent recognition as a recipient of the Whitley Award 2025, Nurzhafarina admitted it was difficult to put her emotions into words. Presented by the UK-based Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN), the award is known for its intense competitiveness and global prestige. On April 30, she received the £50,000 (approximately RM287,000) award from WFN Patron Princess Anne at the Royal Geographical Society in London, as a powerful endorsement of her work to protect the estimated 300 remaining Bornean elephants in eastern Sabah. The award also recognises her innovative approach in engaging stakeholders in the oil palm industry across the Lower Kinabatangan, encouraging elephant-friendly practices and building a network of safe corridors for the world's smallest elephant species. 'This award comes with great responsibility. I am grateful to the Whitley platform because it opens up more opportunities for me to share the story of the Bornean elephants. It also gives confidence to everyone working in the field that we are truly on the right path,' she said. For her, this is not just a career, it is a heartfelt expression of gratitude for the knowledge and skills she has been given to protect the Bornean elephant, a species classified as 'Endangered' on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List. While she acknowledges that uniting all parties in the conservation effort is challenging, Nurzhafarina hopes the local communities will join her in this vital mission. She believes it is essential to preserve Kinabatangan as a symbol of harmony and coexistence between humans and wildlife. 'I see Kinabatangan as a very special place. Despite the many challenges in maintaining wildlife habitats, this region remains resilient and strong. 'Sabah and Borneo are renowned for their natural wealth, with forests and wildlife that exist nowhere else. This is what draws people here. So, we must find a balance between development and environmental conservation,' she emphasised. Her words echo a deep bond, not only with the elephants she protects but with the land they share, reminding us all of the delicate harmony that sustains life in this unique corner of the world. — Bernama
Daily Express
24-05-2025
- General
- Daily Express
Government told to rethink Tawai route
Published on: Saturday, May 24, 2025 Published on: Sat, May 24, 2025 Text Size: Red line on map shows the proposed realighment of Pan Borneo cutting through the Tawai Forest Reserve. Green dots show elephant locations. Kota Kinabalu: A heart-wrenching incident on May 11 has brought renewed attention to the dangers Malaysia's road networks pose to wildlife, including in Sabah. A five-year-old male elephant calf was fatally struck by a 10-tonne lorry while attempting to cross the East-West Highway in the Belum-Temenggor Forest Reserve. The calf's mother remained by its side for five hours, desperately trying to rescue her offspring, in a scene that has since gone viral and sparked public outcry. Professor Benoit Goossens from Danau Girang Field Centre and Dr Nurzhafarina Othman from Seratu Aatai express their concerns and implore the Government to consider mitigation measures for the Tawai Forest Reserve alignment in Telupid, Sabah. 'This tragedy underscores the broader issue of human-wildlife conflict exacerbated by infrastructure development', said Goossens, from Cardiff University. 'In response, the Malaysian Government has announced plans to incorporate dedicated wildlife crossings into future highway designs to prevent similar incidents. Why not act now for the Pan Borneo Highway? 'I sincerely hope that it is not too late to do this for the proposed alignment in Telupid for which construction will start soon,' he added. Advertisement 'With Coalition Humans, Habitats, Highways (3H), we have emphasised for many years that road construction through wildlife habitats not only leads to fatal accidents but also increases the risk of poaching and habitat fragmentation,' said Dr Nurzhafarina, from Universiti Malaysia Sabah. The proposed Pan Borneo Highway alignment which cuts through the Tawai Forest Reserve would endanger the elephant population in the reserve as well as other protected species such as the Bornean orang-utan, the Sunda clouded leopard, the Malayan sun bear and the Bornean peacock pheasant. 'Events like the one on May 11 will definitely happen in Telupid if nothing is done,' added Dr Nurzhafarina. This incident in the peninsula serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need to balance infrastructure development with wildlife conservation. 'It would be a shame if that poor baby elephant died in vain. We sincerely hope that mitigation measures could be implemented immediately, such as building dedicated wildlife crossings, or even better, viaducts at the two elephant hotspots that our research has identified. 'There is also a need to enforce speed limits and install warning signage and lighting to alert drivers of potential wildlife crossings. 'Finally, preventing heavy lorries to use the stretch crossing the forest reserve at night and force them to use the existing Telupid road, would limit the chance of dramatic accidents leading to human and wildlife casualties,' they said * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
