Bull elephant rescued from rope traps dies at Kinabatangan sanctuary in Sabah

KOTA KINABALU: A rescued bull elephant has died at the Borneo Elephant Sanctuary in Kinabatangan on Wednesday (July 11).

The elephant named "Sapu" was a victim of snare traps when it was rescued from the Sapagaya Waterfall near the Danum Valley forest reserve on June 1.

Sapu was found with two rope snares bound tightly around its front legs with deep wounds. However, it had been recuperating and responding well to treatments.

Sabah Wildlife Department director Augustine Tuuga said Sapu however collapsed in the morning and died at about 4pm without regaining consciousness.

He said a post mortem was being conducted on the elephant.

“We will reveal the cause of death once we know,” Tuuga said when contacted.

Meanwhile, a wildlife conservationist based in Sabah said snare traps for wildlife are deadlier than bullets, as they are cheap, easy to get and silent.

“Almost anyone can get or make the traps,” said the conservationist who did not want to be named.

Though the poacher who set the traps may aim for other animals such as wild boars, larger creatures including elephants can still be victims and die a long, agonising death.