Borneo: Deep in the lush forests of Borneo lies a story not just about conflict, but about the coexistence of humans and elephants learning to share the same land. It’s a journey of understanding between two worlds, woven into the complex rhythm of life.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, in an exclusive interview, Dr. Nurzhafarina Othman, a leading Malaysian elephant conservationist, emphasized that one could spend a lifetime studying the Bornean elephant (Elephas maximus borneensis) – the way they move, eat and live, yet still miss half the story if we don’t also listen to the people who live alongside them. Much like finding the perfect recipe, conserving Bornean elephants requires balance. The 2025 Whitley Award recipient believes success lies not only in understanding the science of conservation, but also in connecting with the hearts of the local communities who have long hosted these gentle giants.
Nurzhafarina, a Senior Lecturer at the Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), was recently honoured with the 2025 Whitley Award, also known as the ‘Green Oscar’, presented by the United Kingdom-based Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN). The prestigious award recognises her efforts in protecting the Bornean elephant and comes with a grant of £50,000 (about RM287,000), presented by WFN Patron Princess Anne at the Royal Geographical Society, London.
Nurzhafarina, who is also the founder and director of ‘Seratu Aatai’, a non-profit organisation whose name means ‘united hearts’, said the Bornean elephants are listed as ‘Endangered’ on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List due to their small and declining population, estimating that only around 250 of them remain in Sabah.
She said that in working with communities affected by elephant-related issues, her team found that many locals often felt isolated and unsure of what to do when elephants entered their areas. Seratu Aatai plays a vital role in ‘uniting hearts’, bringing together all stakeholders and nurturing a positive outlook on conservation by shifting how people perceive elephants.
Nurzhafarina stressed that elephants are often viewed as the responsibility of the government, NGOs or institutions like UMS, but in truth, they belong to everyone, especially the communities living closest to them. Her goal is to help communities see that elephants are part of their shared environment and change the way people perceive human-elephant conflict.
She stated that solutions must be holistic, not just relocating problems elsewhere. Nurzhafarina believes that one of the biggest challenges communities face is a lack of resources, making it essential for big industry players, especially large plantation owners, to share responsibility in addressing the issue.
Nurzhafarina said the situation calls for a more comprehensive approach, emphasizing the need for collaboration from everyone, not just smallholders, but also large landowners. She acknowledged that bringing all stakeholders together with a shared vision remains a challenge, requiring ongoing cooperation, trust, and empathy.