U.S.-Sabah collaboration in wildlife protection received a boost this week when U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia, Edgard D. Kagan, along with representatives from the Oregon Zoo, visited the Sabah Wildlife Department’s Wildlife Health, Genetic, and Forensic Laboratory (WHGFL) in Kampung Potuki. This visit highlighted the deepening relationship between the United States and Sabah in their joint efforts to tackle wildlife trafficking and enhance wildlife crime investigations.
The Sabah Wildlife Department Director, Mohd. Soffian bin Abu Bakar, hosted the delegation at Lok Kawi Wildlife Park and led them on a tour of the WHGFL. He acknowledged the significant role of U.S. support in establishing the laboratory in 2012. He stated, “Support from our U.S. partners – government, institutions, and individuals – has been vital to our progress. Without this support, this laboratory would not have been possible. We remain committed to advancing our capabilities to protect Sabah’s wildlife, and today, even agencies like the Royal Malaysian Customs Department and the Sarawak Forestry Corporation rely on this facility’s forensic services.”
Ambassador Kagan emphasized the critical role of global collaboration in addressing common problems. “Strong U.S.-Malaysia partnerships reflect our shared commitment to deepening people-to-people ties. This lab is a powerful example of how international cooperation – through genetics, forensic science, and disease surveillance – can yield real, lasting impact in the Sabah’s fight against wildlife crime.”
Opened in 2013, the WHGFL is jointly managed by the SWD, Conservation Medicine, and the Danau Girang Field Centre (DGFC). It stands as the first laboratory in Borneo accredited to ISO17025 standards, specializing in wildlife disease diagnostics and DNA forensic analysis. In 2019, a dedicated Forensic Unit was introduced with U.S. backing to enhance wildlife crime enforcement.
Dr. Milena Salgado Lynn, DGFC Scientific Advisor and Coordinator of the Genetic and Forensic Units, outlined the lab's diverse capabilities. “Initially focused on disease and genetic research, the lab has since expanded to include cutting-edge forensic capabilities. We conduct disease testing for critical illnesses such as elephant endotheliotropic herpesviruses (EEHV), carry out population genetics studies on threatened species like the banteng, maintain a biobank of Sabah’s protected species, and provide DNA analysis for wildlife crime investigations. The Forensic Unit handled 62 cases between 2020 and 2023 – and almost matched that number in 2024, reflecting the growing demand for our expertise.”