Wildlife Dept probing elephant’s death

KUALA NERANG: Samples from the elephant carcass found in Pedu Lake were obtained by the Wildlife and National Parks Department forensic team to determine the cause of death.

Its state director Mohamad Hafid Rohani said, when contacted, that the team took the samples back to its headquarters in Kuala Lumpur for further examination.

“We are still in the dark over the elephant’s death,” he said.

The Star visited the site where the carcass was found, accompanied by 60-year-old fisherman Abu Othman Ibrahim who said he had seen many elephants roaming the area.

“I think I spotted that particular elephant two months ago and it seemed heathy at that time.

“Two weeks later, I found it dead and floating in the lake.

“Last week, I came across the carcass again. This time it was at the riverbank in an area called Charok Jaik.

“I found many elephant footprints leading to the carcass, I believe the animals were checking out their dead comrade,” he said.

Abu Othman said it was unlikely that poachers had killed the elephant as a few fishermen had spotted an elephant walking in an unsteady manner and appearing sick about two months back.

Meanwhile, state Environment committee chairman Datuk Dr Leong Yong Kong said the carcass was left untouched in accordance with the Wildlife Department’s standard operating procedure.

He added that a check showed no gunshot wounds on the carcass.