Testing times for Malaysia's elephants

Jimbo and Tun Tan being cared for by a Wildlife Rescue Unit staff member. This picture was taken in 2014. — Sabah Wildlife Department

THE male elephant calf named Jimbo was a media darling. Rescued at a mere two weeks old after it was found wandering alone on an estate in Sg Lokan, Sabah, in 2014, the playful pachyderm would cosy up to its caregivers and gulp down 2.5 litres of milk in one go.

A “sweet, naughty little giant”, was how one of Jimbo’s caregivers described the animal.