Johor – 25 September 2025 – Communities, government agencies, and partners
came together today at Felda Tengaroh 5, Johor, to commemorate World Elephant
Day 2025. Held under the theme Living in Harmony with Elephants
#heritageforthefuture, the event highlighted collective efforts by FELDA,
the Sungai Ara Human-Elephant Coexistence (HEC) Committee, and Earthworm
Foundation to foster coexistence for the benefit of both people and wildlife.

This year’s celebration built on the momentum of last
year’s World Elephant Day in Johor, which focused primarily on raising
awareness of coexistence. In 2025, the program introduced concrete progress,
including the launch of the Sungai Ara Human-Elephant Coexistence (HEC) Committee Story Map, showcasing community-driven strategies
to manage over 8,400 hectares of farmland, natural areas, and settlements under
the Elephant Management Zone.

A highlight of the day was the presence of two
elephants, Panti and Pes which allowed communities, especially children and
smallholders, to interact directly with these gentle giants. This rare,
hands-on experience helped deepen understanding, build empathy, and break down
fear by fostering familiarity between people and elephants.

Encik Safiai, Chairman of the Sungai Ara HEC
Committee, said, “Through the committee, we have clear steps whenever elephants
are near — from patrolling and giving early warnings to guiding the elephants
back safely. But managing this landscape is not something the community can do
alone. With the support of government agencies, NGOs, and partners, we are able
to protect our farms while ensuring elephants continue to live safely in their
habitat. This collaboration proves that when everyone comes together, real
solutions are possible.”

District Officer of Mersing, Hj Jamil Hasni Bin Abdullah highlighted the ecological
and cultural significance of elephants, “Elephants are more than wildlife, they
are a keystone species essential to the health of our forests and ecosystems.
We cannot view them only as threats to crops or settlements. Instead, we must
find balance so that development and conservation move forward together. By
building awareness and practicing safety, communities can protect both their
livelihoods and the survival of elephants as part of our shared natural
heritage.”

From an industry perspective, the Federal Land
Development Authority (FELDA) reinforced the importance of safety and
responsibility in coexistence. Zool Hilmi Zahani Bin Haron, Director of FELDA’s
Replanting Department, noted, “Conservation and coexistence with elephants must
go hand in hand with community safety. As we live and work within elephant
ranges, it is vital that we follow proper safety measures, remain vigilant, and
act responsibly. By doing so, we not only protect ourselves and our
livelihoods, but also ensure that elephants can continue to thrive as part of
our shared environment.”

Kiah Hui Ooi, Country Representative for Earthworm
Foundation in Malaysia, emphasised that this annual event is more than just a
ceremony, “What we see here today is part of long-term landscape work in the Southern Central
Forest Spine (SCFS) landscape to build more resilient farmers, protect forests, and
create harmony between people and elephants. Coexistence is not built
overnight; it requires trust, commitment, and collective action. Johor is
showing how government, communities, industry, and NGOs can come together to
create solutions that last for generations.”

The Sungai Ara HEC Committee, established in October
2023, consists of local leaders, representatives from the district office of
Kota Tinggi, government agencies, plantation companies, and Non Government Organisations (NGOs). Together,
they developed a Decision Chart that outlines responses to around 20 possible
scenarios of human-elephant interaction. Each case – from spotting elephant
signs to handling aggressive behaviour – is managed systematically to ensure
community safety while safeguarding elephants and their forest habitats.

The commemoration also featured student competitions,
exhibitions, and awareness activities designed to inspire the next generation
of conservation leaders. Partners including the Department of Wildlife and
National Parks (PERHILITAN), Malaysian Palm Oil Green Conservation Fund (MPOGCF), local communities, and NGOs reaffirmed their commitment to advancing coexistence in Johor’s SCFS landscape.

World Elephant Day 2025 in Johor serves as a reminder
that safeguarding elephants is not only about conserving wildlife, but also
about protecting cultural and ecological heritage. With continued
collaboration, Johor communities are showing how people and elephants can share
the land in harmony, a true legacy for the future.

This press release has also been published on VRITIMES