Communities in Johor Unite for World Elephant Day 2025: Living in Harmony with Elephants #heritageforthefuture

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.