Rescued Pygmy elephant succumbs to injuries from snare trap

KOTA KINABALU: The Borneo Pygmy elephant rescued in Taliwas, Lahad Datu last week, has succumbed to his injuries a day after being translocated to the Borneon Elephant Sanctuary (BES) in Kinabatangan. 

The young male elephant was expected to undergo further treatment at the sanctuary for an injury on his front right leg caused by a snare trap set by poachers. 

Sabah Wildlife Department public relations officer Siti Nur'Ain Ampuan Acheh said the animal was found to be very weak and unable to stand up on Sunday (Aug 19), five days after being rescued by rangers on Tuesday (Aug 14).

"Despite hours of emergency treatment, he could not be saved and was confirmed dead at 3pm on the same day. 

"A post-mortem has been conducted and the cause of death was multiple organ failure caused by septicaemia which resulted from the critically deep snare trap wound that was suspected to be more than five weeks old," she said. 

The elephant was aged between seven and nine years old. 

Since April this year, some 19 rescued jumbos, including the latest case, have died from various reasons including poachers' traps.

Siti Nur'Ain said four elephants died this year from injuries caused by snare traps in Sabah.