KOTA KINABALU: A reward should be offered for information leading to the capture of poachers who killed two Borneo pygmy elephants, said Datuk Wilfred Lingham.
The former state Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry permanent secretary said the bounty would encourage people to report illegal hunts.
“This will turn the tables on poachers. Let the hunters become the hunted,” he said, adding that the state wildlife department was empowered to reward anyone providing information on poachers.
Lingham believes that the poachers who killed the two bull elephants for their tusks were part of a small group.
“Also, they would likely be using modified bullets that enable maximum penetration to the heart or brain for instant death,” Lingham said.
He also said that a close watch on exit points around the state was needed because the tusks would be taken out of Sabah.
They could go through Indonesia or the Philippines bound for China, he said.
One carcass was found near the Kawag Forest Reserve on Dec 27, and the other just outside the Ulu Segama Forest Reserve on Dec 31.
The second elephant was named Sabre and wore a satellite-tracking collar; it had been relocated to the reserve about three months ago.
Danau Girang Field Centre (DGFC) director Dr Benoit Goosens said satellite data showed that Sabre was killed sometime on Nov 21.
DGFC is a research organisation.
Dr Pakeeyaraj Nagalingam, the state Wildlife Rescue Unit veterinarian who took part in Sabre’s rescue and relocation, said it appeared that there was no safe place for elephants in Sabah anymore.
There are an estimated 1,500 to 2,000 pygmy elephants in Sabah’s forests.
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