Joint Press Release by Universiti Malaysia Sabah and WWF-Malaysia

Forum highlights growing threats from online wildlife trafficking and the role of youth and digital monitoring in protecting Sabah’s biodiversity

Kota Kinabalu, Sabah | 9 April 2026 – As Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) increasingly shifts to online platforms, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and WWF-Malaysia convened conservation experts, enforcement agencies, researchers, and students at the “Wildlife Defenders Forum: From the Field to the Digital Frontline” to strengthen collaborative action against wildlife crime in Sabah, held on 7 April 2026.

Organised by the Institute of Tropical Biology and Conservation (ITBC), UMS, in collaboration with WWF-Malaysia, the forum provided a platform for discussion and knowledge-sharing on wildlife conservation challenges in Sabah, with a particular focus on Illegal Wildlife Trade, enforcement efforts, and monitoring mechanisms.

Sabah is home to many unique and endangered species, such as the Bornean orangutan, Bornean elephant, Sunda pangolin, Bornean banteng, and proboscis monkey. These species continue to face threats from poaching, illegal trade, and habitat loss. The forum highlighted growing concerns over the shift of wildlife trafficking to digital platforms, underscoring the need for new approaches to detection, monitoring, and response.

One of the key initiatives highlighted during the forum was the Cyber Spotter Programme, which encourages youth and members of the public to monitor online platforms and report suspicious wildlife trade activities. The programme aims to strengthen community participation in wildlife protection while raising awareness about the dangers of Illegal Wildlife Trade.

According to Assoc. Prof. Dr Fiffy Hanisdah Saikim, Director of ITBC, representing YBhg. Prof. Datuk Dr Kassim Hj. Mansor, Vice Chancellor, UMS, universities have an important role in empowering students to become responsible stewards of the environment. “Universities are not only centres of learning and research but also platforms for nurturing responsible citizens. Engaging students in conservation initiatives allows them to contribute meaningfully to the protection of Sabah’s natural heritage.”

Dr Robecca Jumin, Head of Conservation (Sabah) at WWF‑Malaysia, emphasised the growing importance of monitoring Illegal Wildlife Trade in digital spaces, noting that many transactions now take place online. “Monitoring these activities helps conservation organisations and enforcement agencies identify emerging trends and take action to protect vulnerable species,” she said in a speech delivered by Dr Cheryl Cheah, Protect Lead of the Sabah Landscapes Programme at WWF‑Malaysia.

She added that the digital landscape is vast and constantly evolving, and there is only so much government agencies can monitor on their own. “With greater support from youth and civil society acting as the eyes and ears of the cyber world, we can put more hands on deck to detect and report online wildlife crime. This collective vigilance is crucial in protecting Malaysia’s wildlife from online exploitation.”

In addition to the forum sessions, participating organisations and government agencies hosted exhibition booths to showcase their roles and initiatives in wildlife conservation. At the conclusion of the forum, attendees were invited to sign up for the upcoming Cyber Spotter Programme, which equips volunteers to help identify and report suspected online wildlife trade activities.

– Ends –

Participants at the Wildlife Defenders Forum, organised by UMS and WWF‑Malaysia, discussed evolving conservation challenges, from field‑based efforts to emerging digital issues in Sabah. © ITBC, UMS

(L-R) Moderated by Dr Robert Francis Peter (ITBC), the forum saw Dr Elisa Panjang (Pangolin Aware), Esther Lonnie Baking (WWF‑Malaysia), Dairysia Anthony Yukin (WWF‑Malaysia), Dr Marcela Pimid (Borneo Marine Institute, UMS) and Dr Hairul Masrini Muhamad (Borneo Marine Institute, UMS) presenting on a range of wildlife and environmental conservation issues in Sabah, including species protection, marine research, behaviour change and community‑based monitoring initiatives. © ITBC, UMS

About WWF-Malaysia

World Wide Fund for Nature Malaysia (WWF-Malaysia) was established in 1972 and is part of World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the international conservation organisation. Working to sustain the natural world for the benefit of people and nature, WWF-Malaysia’s efforts to conserve nature focus on six major themes: forests, oceans, wildlife, food, climate and energy, as well as freshwater. Our mission is to stop the degradation of the earth’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature.

Find our latest news here: https://www.wwf.org.my/media_and_information/media_centre_and_updates/