pygmy elephant (elephas maximus borneensis)
other names
Borneo Pygmy Elephant
They are the least understood of all elephants!
They are the least understood of all elephants!
habitat
Rainforests for Borneo & Sumatra
threats
Pygmy Elephants are classified as Endangered. There are only 1,500 left! The main threat to these Elephants is Palm Oil & Habitat Loss. They are left in tin pockets of Rainforest surround by Palm Oil Plantations. There are also people who illegally put up traps to kill the Elephants! Who would do that to such a beautiful creature?
conservation
Until WWF started working with these Elephants in Borneo they were not studied before! In 2005 WWF put 5 radio trackers on 5 different Pygmy Elephants, all of which were in different herds. This was for research about the population. But it also gave them an idea how they moved through the Rainforests. This research was very important to know what pockets of forests were left for them and was vital fort their survival WWF is also planting corridors to connect the pockets of forests together for the Bornean Pygmy Elephant and other species.
how you can help
- Send letters to the government about protecting their habitat and making Palm Oil illegal.
- Have a Palm Oil free diet.
- Spread the message.
- Don't go to places that have captive Elephants.
- Support & raise money for Pygmy Elephant conservation.
- Don't buy Elephant products or any wildlife products.
image credits
www.worldwildlife.org/species/borneo-pygmy-elephant