Elisa Binti Panjang

Elisa Panjang is a conservation biologist from Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. She belongs to the Kadazan Indigenous community and has dedicated over a decade to studying and protecting the critically endangered Sunda pangolin. She began as a student fascinated by wildlife, especially pangolins, which led her to pursue a Bachelor’s in Conservation Biology, followed by a master’s and a PhD. Over time, she became a trained ecologist passionate about applying science to real-world conservation.

She is the founder and director of Pangolin Aware, a grassroots NGO that combines scientific research with local knowledge and community empowerment. She works closely with rural and Indigenous communities, local authorities and young conservationists to raise awareness, reduce poaching and illegal trade and promote coexistence between people and wildlife.

Elisa believes conservation must be inclusive, culturally rooted and responsive to biodiversity and community needs. While her work is grounded in Sabah, she also brings it to the global stage through platforms like National Geographic and the IUCN Pangolin Specialist Group. She is passionate about mentorship, community resilience and finding practical, people-centred solutions to conservation challenges in Southeast Asia. Outside work, she enjoys spending time with family, reading and travelling to learn about different cultures.