FGV Annual Report 2020

Sustainability Matters Borneo Pygmy Elephant Rescue In April 2020, a two (2) year old baby pygmy elephant was found wandering around FGV plantation Sahabat 54 in Lahad Datu by our workers near Tabin Wildlife Reserve border. The FGV workers provided immediate care by providing temporary shelter for the injured pygmy elephant while waiting for the Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) and the Wildlife Rescue Unit (WRU) to come to the rescue. The baby elephant was found to have a problem with her vision due to bad infections on both eyes causing her to wander from the herd. The elephant was later transported by FGV vehicle for further treatment at Lok Kawi Wildlife Park in Kota Kinabalu. FGV sponsored the cost of care and treatment for the injured pygmy elephant named ‘Sahabat’ for six months until full recovery amounting to a total of RM16,000.00. ‘Sahabat’ has regained her sight under the SWD veterinarians’ care. This is not the first time FGV workers have rescued Borneo elephants in our plantations. Earlier in March 2020, four (4) Borneo pygmy elephants were rescued from being trapped overnight in a pond in Sahabat 50 estate. Our workers had to level down the side of the pond to allow the elephants to escape safely into the nearby forest. Pygmy elephants are endangered species and in Sabah it is estimated only around 2,000 pygmy elephants are left in the wild. 158 FGV HOLDINGS BERHAD Annual Integrated Report 2020