In Volume 9, nr. 4:

The Borneo elephant, unique or descendant ?
Applying DNA analysis and new genetic tests, a group of researchers and scientists of the Malaysian chapter of the Worldwide Fund for Nature have reclassified the Borneo elephants as distinct subspecies. After this statement the origin of Borneo's elephants is controversial. Are they indigenous, tracing back to the Pleistocene, or are they introduced, descending from elephants imported in the 16th-18th centuries? Is Borneo's elephant unique or is it a descendant from its Indian or Sumatran cousins?

Symposium on Elephant Conservation
The big international symposium on Human Elephant Relationships and Conflicts was held at the Colombo Plaza hotel from 19th to 21st September. This symposium attracted eminent ecologists, researchers,managers, conservationists and elephant enthusiasts from 23 countries, mainly from Asia and Africa but also from as far afield as Australia and New Zealand and Europe and the USA. A total of 240 delegates from these many countries participated fully at this symposium. The symposium was sponsored and organized by the International Elephant Foundation of the United States, and the Biodiversity & Elephant Conservation Trust of Sri Lanka.

Conflicts: Are they inevitable or can we prevent them?
We see a magnificent African elephant. But a local farmer sees the thing that has trampled on his crops. As a result of better circumstances and better care the population is growing. These people want to build a living for themselves and their families and so new villages and towns are created in places where there used to be nothing but jungle. As human settlements intrude upon wildlife, humans and animals (including, of course, elephants) are engaging more in conflict. Human presence interferes with wildlife patterns. It disturbs migration routes and as a result animal populations are being isolated and face the danger of inbreeding. It robs animals of their foraging sites.Water can become hard to reach. Human-wildlife conflict is quickly becoming one of the top dangers facing Africa's animals and landscapes. And the results can be deadly for both sides.

Taita's Rescue
On the 1st of October a new orphaned elephant was welcomed after being saved in a rather dramatic manner.The young animal came from the 'Hilton Hotel' Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, a small area situated between Tsavo West and Taita Hills.The rescue centre is comprised from two lodges:Taita Hills Lodge and Salt Lick lodge.The rescue of Little 'Taita', as the young one has been named, took place under the leadership of Isaac Maina, chief of the Voi Anti-Snaring Team.He was assisted by Joseph Sauni,who is in charge of taking in orphaned elephants in Tsavo, together with a few other volunteers.

Also in this issue:

• Column: Human-Animal conflict
• A future for Thailands elephants
• City jumbos trained for forest patrols
• Poachers in Thailand become conservationists
• The elephant world
• Not a day without elephants
• Kilimanjaro Heartland Heats Up
• Reopening discussions on 'culling'
• Foster Parents in the class
• My Elephants
• Hidden jumbos return to city
• Welfare of captive elephants
• Elephants demand their land back
• Randy elephant knocked out
• Two rangers killed in Tsavo National Park
• Traditional welcome for Dasara elephants
• Puzzle
• Unique elephant atmosphere appears once more
• First Elephant Born in Knysna Elley Park
• Humans out, animals in
• Gigantic Elephant in Emmen Zoo