Did you know that we have wild elephants in the jungles of Malaysia? In Malaysia, the species we have is known as Asian elephant (Elephas maximus).  They used to be found all across Malaysia until recently where their habitat range has shrunk to a few remaining states, namely, Kedah, Perak, Johor, Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Sabah. Without science, it would be difficult to monitor conservation efforts and that lead to the birth of MEME.

 

MEME is a collaboration between University of Nottingham Malaysia and Department of Wildlife and National Parks of Peninsular Malaysia (PERHILITAN). It was founded in year 2011 by Prof Ahimsa Campos-Arceiz who has been researching Asian megafauna, particularly elephants, for more than 15 years now. Since 2020, Dr. Wong Ee Phin took over as the Principle Investigator of MEME.

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MEME’s general aim is to use science to develop an evidence-based approach to the conservation of Asian elephants in Peninsular Malaysia. Our specific objectives for the third phase of MEME are to:

1. examine elephant behaviour and movement in conflict areas.

2. identify model communities at varying scales to co-design HEC (Human Elephant Conflict) management strategies and monitor effectiveness.

3. develope a communications plan for the various communities that face HEC, to channel findings to decision-makers in public and private sectors.