Making room for elephants

"Those plantations that do commit and are willing to work with people like Farina often do not get the recognition that they deserve or the financial support that they need, especially from Western palm oil buyers," he said.

Industry-funded conservation associations say plantations have made progress in becoming sustainable palm oil producers but face difficult economic realities.

"It needs to be a win-win situation between the planters and also the wildlife," said Daniel Pamin, conservation and sustainability executive at the Malaysian Palm Oil Green Conservation Foundation.

Farina believes change will come.

Before, locals used the Malay word "halau", meaning "chase away" or "banish", when talking about elephants.

"Now, we are working to get people to say … 'walking' or 'escorting' out the elephant."

AGENCIES VIA XINHUA