KINABATANGAN: The Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) is investigating the death of a male elephant whose carcass was found in the Kinabatangan River near Angco Jaya Plantation and Lot 4 of the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary.
State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said the department initially received a report of a dead elephant in the river near Pontian Plantation.
A team comprising the Rapid Response Team (RRT) and Honorary Wildlife Rangers from Sukau carried out an inspection and located the carcass after it was believed to have drifted downstream from the location initially reported.
“The carcass was pulled onto the riverbank with the assistance of machinery from Angco Jaya Plantation to enable a physical examination and post-mortem to be carried out.
“The elephant was identified as a male, approximately six feet tall and estimated to be between 14 and 18 years old. Based on the condition of the carcass, it was estimated to have died about four to five days ago,” he said in a statement.
Jafry said the examination found several injuries, while both tusks were missing, with these findings now forming part of the Wildlife Department’s ongoing investigation.
“At this stage, we do not want to speculate on the circumstances surrounding the injuries, the missing tusks or the cause of death. These matters require further investigation and must be supported by evidence,” he added.
According to Jafry, a post-mortem examination was conducted by the Wildlife Department on Oct 1, with samples of the elephant’s organs and stomach contents collected for laboratory analysis.
“At this stage, the exact cause of death has yet to be determined. We are awaiting the laboratory results as well as the full post-mortem findings.”The New York Times reported early this year that Sabah’s pygmy elephants are being targeted by poachers for their tusks.
The State Government views the incident seriously and appropriate action would be taken should the investigation establish any element of human involvement or violation of wildlife laws, according to the statement.
