BORNEO PYGMY ELEPHANT RESCUE We often encounter wildlife that for various reasons are found to have strayed into our operational areas or surroundings in close proximity. To ensure that the wildlife are not harmed, we collaborate with the relevant local wildlife authorities to rescue, rehabilitate and support their recovery so that they can safely return to their natural habitat. Our work with Pygmy Elephants is a prime example. Borneo Pygmy Elephants, found almost entirely in Sabah and listed by the IUCN as Endangered, have been unfortunate victims of deforestation and they sometimes wonder into the vicinity of our plantations. In 2020, we rescued 4 Pygmy Elephants in Sabah thanks to the diligence of our plantation workers. It is estimated only around 2,000 Pygmy Elephants are left in the wild. In April 2020, a 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 instituted 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. In 2021, Yuri, a baby elephant was rescued from Ladang Felda FGV Sahabat 9 Baiduri Ayu, Lahad Datu with the joint efforts of the Wildlife Rescue Unit and the workers of Ladang Felda FGV Sahabat 9 Baiduri Ayu. MEGA BIODIVERSITY CORRIDOR PROJECT FGV has a five (5) year commitment to the Borneo Conservation Trust (BCT) and Sabah Wildlife Department to participate in the Mega Biodiversity Corridor Conservation Project in the lower Kinabatangan Basin. Through this initiative, we support the reestablishment, restoration and protection of riparian zones to protect important wildlife corridors for Borneo Pygmy Elephants, Orangutans, Proboscis Monkeys and other important wildlife species. This initiative has been published as one of the case studies in the ‘Malaysian National Interpretation for the Management and Monitoring for High Conservation Value (HCV) - 2021, by the HCV Malaysia Toolkit Steering Committee. FGV is one of the members of the Technical Working Group (TWG) and participated in the national interpretation process and stakeholders consultation. BIODIVERSITY WITH INTEGRATED FARMING INITIATIVES FGV’s expansion into integrated farming is contributing towards the biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in our plantation operations. With better land management in mind and Good Agricultural Practices as the standard operating procedures, the Group has ventured into commercial scale MD2 pineapple cultivation in Johor and Perlis, and cultivating Cavendish bananas as an intercropping cash crop amidst our plantations in Johor. We are also rehabilitating a Harumanis mango plantation in the Agro Valley in Chuping. FGV has ventured into paddy planting and established a MRQ76 seed garden in Kawasan Pembangunan Pertanian Bersepadu (IADA) Seberang Perak and IADA Barat Laut Selangor. 127 CLIMATE ACTION & ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2020/2021
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