RESPECT, RESPonsible Elephant Conservation Trust

18/04/2026

SUMMER SERENADE 2026
Where conservation meets music, culture, and purpose.

Join us at Tanini Kinabatangan for an exclusive fundraising experience in the heart of Kinabatangan—featuring live classical performances and a curated fine dining evening. ✨

📅 29–31 May 2026

💚 Every booking directly supports elephant conservation and helps reduce human–elephant conflict.

🎟 Limited seats available — book your spot now and be part of something meaningful.

12/04/2026

The 10th Board of Trustees Meeting was successfully held on 11 April 2026.

The meeting reviewed and discussed the full range of activities carried out by RESPECT from 2025 through April 2026, reflecting on key milestones, progress, and ongoing initiatives.

Our conservation efforts to protect elephants in Sabah continue to gain strong momentum. Notably, the implementation of grass planting for food pastures and the development of food corridors has begun to show promising and encouraging results.

We remain hopeful and deeply appreciative of the continued support from The Intrepid Foundation (Australia) and Borneo Conservation Trust (Japan) in ensuring the sustainability and success of these vital conservation projects.

Together, we move forward in securing a better future for Sabah’s elephants. 🐘🌱

03/04/2026

You want to VOLUNTEERS ???🐘

RESPECT is excited to announce our official collaboration with Roots & Shoots Malaysia!

If you are passionate about wildlife, conservation, community work and protecting the future of elephants, this is your chance to be part of something meaningful.

As a volunteer with RESPECT, you may have the opportunity to:
• Support elephant conservation activities
• Assist in environmental education and awareness programmes
• Join field and community projects
• Contribute your skills in media, design, writing, social media, research and more

We are looking for young people who are ready to learn, take action and make a real difference.

Applications are now open through the Roots & Shoots Malaysia Award. Malaysian citizens or residents aged 16–30 are welcome to apply. The application deadline is 10 April 2026. (Roots & Shoots Malaysia Award)

Apply here: https://rootsandshootsaward.my/apply/

Together, let’s protect elephants, empower communities and create a better future for our environment. 💚

Apply now to the Roots & Shoots Malaysia Award.

25/03/2026

Even during the festive holidays, our work continues. 💚

The RESPECT team has begun planting activities as part of our ongoing commitment to elephant conservation. This spirit is driven by our belief that every small step can make a big difference for wildlife. 🐘🌱

While many are celebrating with their loved ones, we carry that same spirit into the field—working for the future of elephants and the ecosystems we all share.

Your support and contributions are truly important to us, and we deeply appreciate every effort in helping us continue this mission.

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri to everyone 🐘😍✨

06/03/2026

Grass Planting Program with RESPECT & SJK (C) Tai Tong, Sandakan 🐘🌿

We welcomed a group from SJK (C) Tai Tong, Sandakan for a meaningful day trip to Tanini, Kinabatangan as part of our ongoing conservation and environmental awareness efforts.

A total of 20 participants, consisting of teachers, students, and parents, joined the program to learn more about the importance of elephant conservation and habitat restoration.

The program began with a RESPECT Conservation Talk, where participants were introduced to the challenges faced by Bornean elephants, particularly human–elephant conflict, and how habitat restoration plays an important role in creating sustainable solutions.

After the session, participants visited the RESPECT Grass Planting Site, where they actively took part in planting 240 stems of Napier grass. This initiative is part of RESPECT’s habitat enrichment program, which aims to provide natural food sources for elephants and help reduce conflicts between elephants and nearby communities.

Through this hands-on activity, participants were able to experience conservation work directly and understand how small actions can contribute to protecting wildlife and ecosystems.

RESPECT would like to extend our sincere appreciation to the teachers, students, and parents from SJK (C) Tai Tong for their enthusiasm and support towards wildlife conservation.

Together, we can continue working towards a future where people and elephants can coexist in harmony. 🌱🐘

20/02/2026

Did you know? Sometimes the best sign of successful conservation is when wildlife returns on their own.

Our team recently witnessed a special moment which is the elephants calmly crossing the river and naturally grazing on the grass growing in the area restored by the RESPECT team. These elephants were not guided or fed. They chose this space themselves, showing that the habitat is recovering and functioning as it should.

Elephants rely on healthy landscapes to survive. When natural food sources are available, they can continue their natural behavior without needing to move into human-populated areas. This helps create a safer and more balanced environment for both wildlife and communities.

Seeing the elephants use this area is a powerful reminder that restoration takes time, patience, and dedication but the results are real. Every planting effort contributes to rebuilding ecosystems that support life.

This moment belongs to the elephants. We are simply here to restore, protect, and ensure their home remains safe for generations to come.

09/02/2026

Did you know? Flooding is one of the biggest challenges facing RESPECT’s grass planting project?

Seasonal floods often submerge our planting areas, washing away young grass and making the soil unstable. In some locations, our team has had to replant multiple times just to maintain progress. It’s not just about planting, it’s about observing the land, understanding how water flows, and adapting our methods to survive the harsh conditions.

Flooding may be unpredictable, every challenge becomes an opportunity to innovate, improve, and work smarter. Our team’s dedication shows that conservation is not just about nature, it’s about people, effort, and never giving up, no matter how tough the conditions get.

Through all this, one thing remains clear: restoration work takes patience, teamwork, and unwavering commitment. RESPECT will continue to face challenges head-on, replanting, restoring, and adapting to ensure the grass planting project succeeds.

Nature may test us with floods, but it will never stop our mission. With hard work, determination, and community support, RESPECT continues to rebuild habitats, protect the environment, and create a more resilient future for both wildlife and people.

02/02/2026

Napier Grass Maintenance Works

Today, our team carried out routine Napier grass maintenance as part of our ongoing land and habitat management efforts. The works included clearing, trimming, and general upkeep to ensure the Napier plants remain healthy, well-managed, and able to support their intended ecological and practical functions.

Regular maintenance is essential to promote sustainable growth, improve land productivity, and maintain a safe and orderly environment for future activities and programmes. These efforts reflect our continued commitment to responsible environmental management and long-term sustainability.

We would like to thank the team and volunteers on site for their dedication and hard work in ensuring the area is properly maintained.

Together, we continue to care for the land and support sustainable practices.

29/01/2026

SUMMER SERENADE 2026: WHERE CONSERVATION MEETS MUSIC, CULTURE AND PURPOSE

RESPonsible Elephant Conservation Trust (RESPECT) proudly presents Summer Serenade 2026, an exclusive conservation fundraising experience in the heart of Kinabatangan, Sabah, one of Borneo’s most vital wildlife corridors.

This event is organised by RESPECT and hosted by Tanini Kinabatangan and supporting partners committed to wildlife conservation and sustainable development in Sabah.

The evening will be enriched by captivating classical music performances by Yap Ling (String Quartet), creating an elegant atmosphere that harmonises art with nature.

Guests will also enjoy a specially curated fine dining experience by Chef Raphael Jay Peter Lee and Chef Alex Ting, blending local flavours with international culinary artistry.

📅 29–31 May 2026 (Fri, Sat & Sun)
📍 Tanini Kinabatangan, Kg Bilit Kinabatangan, Sabah, Malaysia.

Every contribution from Summer Serenade 2026 directly supports ongoing elephant conservation programmes and community-based efforts to reduce human–elephant conflict in Kinabatangan. By joining this experience, you are not only witnessing conservation in action, but also becoming part of a collective effort to protect Bornean elephants and their natural habitat.

Let us come together to celebrate nature with purpose, inspire change through collaboration, and create a future where wildlife and communities coexist sustainably. 🐘💚

06/01/2026

A Meaningful Start to the New Year 🐘

We began this new year on a truly powerful note, by welcoming an elephant visit to our project area. This rare and humbling moment is a strong reminder that our conservation efforts are taking root, restoring landscapes that wildlife can recognise, return to, and depend on.

The presence of elephants at our site reflects the importance of protecting and reconnecting natural habitats. As keystone species, elephants play a vital role in maintaining healthy ecosystems, and their movement through the landscape is an indicator of ecological balance and habitat functionality.

At RESPECT, our work is driven by coexistence, reducing conflict, restoring degraded areas, and creating safer spaces for both wildlife and surrounding communities. Encounters like this reaffirm our commitment to long-term conservation, careful land management, and science-based approaches that prioritise wildlife wellbeing.

As we step into the year ahead, this visit serves as both encouragement and responsibility. Protecting these magnificent animals requires persistence, collaboration, and continued support. We look forward to another year of safeguarding habitats, strengthening conservation partnerships, and advocating for a future where elephants can roam safely and freely.

31/12/2025

✨ Happy New Year from all of us at Responsible Elephant Conservation Trust 🐘🌿

As we welcome a new year, we reflect on the journey we share with these magnificent giants and the landscapes they call home. Every step forward is made possible through responsible conservation, community collaboration, and the unwavering support of people who believe in coexistence between humans and wildlife.

In the year ahead, we remain committed to protecting elephant habitats, promoting harmony, and ensuring a safer future for elephants and nature alike. Thank you for being part of this mission and for standing with us every step of the way.

Here’s to a new year filled with hope, respect for wildlife, and continued conservation efforts. 💚

24/12/2025

This festive season, we celebrate the joy of giving, the beauty of nature, and the incredible bonds we share with our gentle giants — the elephants. May this Christmas bring you peace, happiness, and the inspiration to protect our wildlife.

We are deeply grateful to all our supporters, volunteers, and communities who have stood with us in conserving Sabah’s elephants. Your dedication ensures that these magnificent creatures continue to roam safely in their natural habitats.

Let’s carry the spirit of compassion and care into the New Year, protecting elephants and nature together. Wishing everyone a magical Christmas filled with love, laughter, and the wonder of wildlife 🎅🏼🐘🌿

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from RESPECT!