AI to the Rescue: Sabah Fights Human-Elephant Conflict with Technology

Sabah Wildlife Department to Deploy AI to Mitigate Human-Elephant Conflict The Sabah Wildlife Department (JHL) in Malaysia is taking a technological leap to address the escalating conflict between humans and wild elephants. The department plans to implement artificial intelligence (AI) in areas experiencing frequent human-elephant encounters, known as hotspots. These hotspots are concentrated in regions such as Kinabatangan and Lahad Datu. According to the JHL director, Mohd Sofian Abu Bakar, "This is currently under planning and research, but the goal is an early warning system." This system will utilize AI to alert both local communities and wildlife officials to the presence of elephants, allowing for proactive measures to prevent conflict. The initiative also includes a collaboration with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to enhance the effectiveness of the AI system. The plan is to use this technology to install digital fences and GPS trackers on wild elephants to monitor their movements and predict potential conflict zones. Azlan Jusoh, a resident of an affected area, expressed his hope that the AI solution will be implemented quickly. He stated, "We hope the AI program is implemented as soon as possible to reduce the high losses and protect our people." Last week, elephants damaged several properties in his community, highlighting the urgency of the situation. The state government, represented by Datuk Hassan A Gani Pg Amir, has pledged increased funding to JHL to support the development and deployment of this AI technology. This commitment underscores the government's recognition of the importance of finding effective solutions to the growing human-elephant conflict in Sabah.