The Wildlife Protection Department solemnly refutes online rumors that the department sold 19 elephants, emphasizing that these accusations are baseless and false. It clarifies that the elephants were only lent to relevant organizations for conservation work.
The Director of the Wildlife Protection Department, Abdul Kadir, stated today (28th) that the rumor of the department “selling elephants” is untrue. Currently, these elephants are participating in external conservation and wildlife management programs.
He said that transferring elephants to other locations is one of the department's conservation strategies. This is to ensure the species continues in the event of epidemics, disasters, or ecological disturbances, while also reducing human-wildlife conflict and strengthening collaborative conservation initiatives.
“This measure is like 'getting insurance'—by relocating elephants to different habitats, we reduce the risk of extinction caused by uncontrollable factors.”
Abdul Kadir added that these conservation collaborations also provide opportunities for technology and expertise transfer, especially in areas such as fertility control, health management, feeding, and modern species management.
“All translocated elephants will have their health status and management records reported by the receiving party, and will continue to be supervised by the Ministry of Natural Resources & Environmental Sustainability and the Wildlife Protection Department.”
At the same time, the department takes the spread of false information—which could affect conservation programs—very seriously, and will take necessary action against rumormongers.