The Bornean elephant (Elephas maximus borneensis), a subspecies with an estimated one thousand specimens in the wild, is facing extinction due to human activity in its habitat, as warned by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The organization has released a new edition of its Red List of Threatened Species, which includes over 45,000 animals and plants at risk of extinction, with the Borneo elephant now classified as an “endangered” species. The decline in population of these elephants is attributed to excessive forest clearing on the island shared by Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei, as well as human encroachment on their habitats.
With the increase in human population in areas like Sabah, Malaysia, elephants are venturing into human settlements in search of food, causing conflicts with humans and damaging crops. Agricultural expansion, illegal ivory trade, agrochemical ingestion, and collisions with vehicles further threaten the Bornean elephant population. The subspecies, which has the smallest specimens, separated from other elephants about 300,000 years ago, as indicated by genetic studies.
The IUCN emphasizes the urgency of conservation efforts in the face of increasing threats to biodiversity, such as climate change, illegal trade, and invasive species. The Red List highlights several mammals facing the highest risk of extinction, including the wild camel, European mink, gorillas, Javan rhinoceros, and Sumatran orangutan. While challenges persist, the IUCN emphasizes that collaborative and science-based action can help prevent species from disappearing forever.
The Red List, marking its sixtieth anniversary this year, serves as a crucial tool for monitoring and protecting endangered species. IUCN’s director general, Grethel Aguilar, underscores the importance of sustained efforts to safeguard biodiversity in the face of mounting threats. The organization continues to update the Red List annually, providing valuable insights into the status of various species and guiding conservation efforts worldwide.