Wildlife + Human Interaction: Creating a Mindful Link between the Visitor + Pygmy Elephant Territories

Abstract

A growing number of animal species are becoming endangered due to encroachment of built environments on natural habitats. On the island of Borneo in the Indian Ocean, aggressive clearing of native tropical rainforest for palm oil plantations has reduced a vital natural habitat of the endangered Pygmy elephant. Borneo is the only place on Earth where this species lives. Preventing further reduction of the Borneo rainforest habitat is crucial to the survival of this species. The focus of this thesis is to confront a paradox: how to provide a built environment for research and education within the natural territory of the Pygmy elephant in order to advance knowledge of the species and promote protection of their already-compromised habitat.