Pygmy Elephants Find Sanctuary in Borneo

Photo By: Sabah Forestry Dept

With the certification of more than 1,100 square miles of Borneo's rain forest by Forest Stewardship Council, pygmy elephants have a new sanctuary in the forest reserves in the "Heart of Borneo," according to WWF, which created the Forest Stewardship Council, an independent third-party certifier of wood products. FSC-certified wood products come from forests that are managed with wildlife and longterm production in mind; they aren't clear-cut.

An endangered species, pygmy elephants are known for their relatively small size, at least compared to other Asian elephants. They grow to about eight feet, and their "babyish faces, larger ears (and) longer tails that reach almost to the ground" give them an appearance that pleases humans.

Their habitat is centered in the Sabah province of Borneo, where the new certified forest is located. The biggest threat to their survival is the loss of forests to loggers, so protecting this habitat is key to their survival.

Related: How to Save Forests, Without Planting a Tree

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