New Straits Times 29 Nov 12;
KOTA KINABALU: Experts are delving deep into Borneo elephant genes to identify populations of the pachyderm which are isolated and genetically impoverished.
A recent study conducted by a team of scientists concluded that Borneo elephant show low genetic diversity which could threaten their survival.
The study was published in the scientific journal PLOS ONE by experts from various institutes in Portugal, the United States, the United Kingdom, the Sabah Wildlife Department and the Danau Girang Field Centre (DGFC).
Experts believe that studying the genetic variability of endangered species' is necessary for conservation and monitoring purposes.
Using blood samples collected from captive Borneo elephants at the Lok Kawi Wildlife Park, a team of scientists used cutting edge DNA sequencing methodology to identify genetic markers for the species.
DGFC director Dr Benoit Goossens said access to variable genetic markers was crucial to determine genetically impoverished and isolated elephants.
As Borneo elephants live in highly disturbed habitats due to oil palm plantation development, the populations risked isolation from one another.
"These new genetic markers may also allow us to reconstruct part of the demographic history of the elephants and possibly unravel the mystery of their origin.
"Their presence in Borneo still raises controversy and we have long wondered why the elephants' range is so restricted.
"The only previous genetic study done on these elephants recognised their presence in Borneo for more than 300,000 years, but there is a lack of elephant fossils on the island to support this," said Goossens.
Theory points to the sultan of Java, who had sent Javan elephants as a gift to the sultan of Sulu in the late 12th century, leading the to feral population in the western end of Sulu island.
"Subsequently, the sultan of Sulu translocated some elephants to the northeast of Borneo and these may have become the founder members of the current population in Sabah."
Earlier this year, the state government launched the 2012-2016 Elephant Action Plan to study and protect the endangered species.
The Borneo elephant is genetically unique and Sabah has a population of about 2,000 pachyderms.
Sabah Wildlife Department director Datuk Dr Laurentius Ambu said large areas of lowland forest were paramount to the species' survival.
"Land conversion to oil palm plantations in key areas such as the Kinabatangan floodplain and central Sabah should stop if we want to avoid isolation of herds and maintain a healthy population."
