Wildlife Rescue Unit

19/07/2025

PITAS (July 18): A group of 25 students, accompanied by 36 teachers and 50 parents from five primary schools in Pitas participated in the third implementation of the HONOR (Honour Our Nature Outreach Programme), held from July 11 to 13 at SK Pekan Pitas. This year’s focus is the Bornean banteng (B...

18/07/2025

𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐆𝐈𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐒: 𝐒𝐀𝐅𝐄𝐆𝐔𝐀𝐑𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐏𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐒, 𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐋𝐀𝐑 𝐀𝐓 𝐀 𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄

In our continued efforts to support elephant conservation, we recently carried out another collaring mission, this time in the Maliau Basin Forest Reserve, in collaboration with the Sabah Wildlife Department and Maliau Basin Conservation staff. This initiative is key to elephant conservation in Sabah, as it helps researchers better understand the species' movement patterns, mitigate potential human-elephant conflicts in shared habitats, and strengthen long-term strategies to ensure their survival.

In summary, we successfully collared two adult elephants, both estimated to be over 30 years old. The first was a female, standing over 6 feet tall, collared on 12 July 2025, followed by a male measuring over 8 feet, which was collared two days later. Despite a minor wound, the male remained active and was treated on-site before being released. Post-collaring monitoring was then conducted, and both elephants responded well.

We are always ready to contribute our expertise and knowledge for the sake of our Bornean giants' future. With hope, we believe that every action taken today lays the foundation for their tomorrow. This mission would not have been possible without the dedication of all involved. Our deepest appreciation also goes to the Sabah Environmental Trust (SET) for sponsoring the collars, which are vital to safeguarding this precious species.

16/07/2025

𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐏𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐓 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐕𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐈𝐍 𝐀 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐒𝐂𝐀𝐏𝐄: 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐀𝐍 𝐁𝐎𝐑𝐍𝐄𝐎 𝐇𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐖𝐀𝐘 𝐈𝐌𝐏𝐀𝐂𝐓

Earlier this month, WRU collaborated with the Sabah Wildlife Department, the Malaysian Palm Oil Green Conservation Foundation (MPOGCF), Seratu Aatai, the Community Elephant Ranger Team, and the Danau Girang Field Centre in an elephant collaring operation at the Tawai Forest Reserve, Telupid. This joint effort aims to reduce potential conflicts and the negative impact on elephants caused by the development of the Pan Borneo Highway in Sabah.

Over the course of the four-day operation, the team successfully collared two female elephants, each measuring over 6 and 7 feet tall. Both procedures were carried out under strict safety protocols and veterinary supervision to ensure the elephants' welfare. Once the jumbos were stabilized, they were safely released back into the wild, followed by post-release monitoring by Seratu Aatai to ensure they did not suffer any adverse effects from the anaesthesia.

This initiative is vital for the long-term conservation planning of the species, ensuring their continued survival in a changing landscape while fostering coexistence with humans. Huge thanks to everyone who gave their all until the very end. Your dedication made this possible. Special appreciation goes to the Malaysian Palm Oil Green Conservation Foundation (MPOGCF) for sponsoring the collars, demonstrating steadfast support for conservation efforts in Sabah.

15/07/2025

1. Teman Rimba Kekal Terpelihara - 1:10Konflik antara manusia dan hidupan liar seperti gajah dan orang utan semakin meruncing saban tahun, berpunca daripada ...

15/07/2025

12/07/2025

12/07/2025

10/07/2025

𝐃𝐢𝐝 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰? Pangolins are the most trafficked mammals in the world. Hunted for their scales and meat, they are taken away from their home and sold illegally, often kept in cruel conditions that cause severe stress and suffering.

These gentle, scaly mammals are highly sensitive and do not survive well in captivity. Therefore, many die before they are ever sold, all for myths and profit.

𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐌𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐏.

✅ Say 𝐍𝐎 to buying or selling pangolins.
✅ Say 𝐍𝐎 to supporting illegal wildlife trade.
✅ Say 𝐘𝐄𝐒 to protecting our precious wildlife.

Together, we can protect what's left before it's too late.

Let them thrive. Let them be wild!

08/07/2025

07/07/2025

This shipping container holds 4,000 pangolins – the world’s most trafficked animal.

Nothing prepared Paul Hilton for what he saw or smelled. Some 4,000 defrosting pangolins hidden in a shipping container behind a façade of frozen fish. This was one of the largest seizures of the animals on record.

“Wildlife crime is big business,” says Paul. “It will stop only when the demand stops.”

Pangolins are the world’s most trafficked animal, with all eight species targeted. Pangolin meat is eaten to demonstrate status, and their scales are wrongly believed to treat a variety of ailments. These dead pangolins pictured were probably destined for China and Vietnam for the exotic meat trade or for use in traditional medicine.

According to WWF, more than 1,000,000 pangolins were trafficked over a 10-year period, with 2019 data indicating that a pangolin is poached every three minutes.

📷 ‘The Pangolin Pit’ won ’s Wildlife Photojournalism category.

See more powerful images of our relationship with the natural world in our online gallery: https://brnw.ch/21wTWtI

01/07/2025

𝐒𝐖𝐈𝐅𝐓 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐄 𝐒𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐒 𝐋𝐈𝐌𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐏𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐓 𝐈𝐍 𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐁𝐀𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐀𝐍

Last month, we received a concerning report about a sick female elephant in Kinabatangan. Standing at approximately 7 feet tall, the elephant was seen wandering around a plantation area with a noticeable limp in her front left leg. Without delay, our rangers were dispatched to the site to assist in the rescue.

Upon arrival, the team surveyed the area, following traces of dung and footprints that eventually led them to the elephant, which was found with her herd near a logging site. Once the animal was sedated and carefully tethered, a thorough examination was conducted. Though she appeared weak, no visible injuries were identified to explain the limping.

Treatment was administered on-site, and the elephant was then safely reunited with her herd. A post-monitoring operation revealed positive progress, with the elephant gradually regaining strength and starting to walk normally again.

This case highlights how a rapid response in wildlife rescue can be life-changing for animals in distress. Thank you to everyone who played a part in giving this elephant a second chance.

A special thanks also goes to our dedicated sponsors, the Malaysian Palm Oil Green Conservation Foundation, ORANGUTAN APPEAL UK, and Oregon Zoo, whose generosity continues to fuel our efforts in protecting and rescuing wildlife.