KOTA KINABALU: Wildlife officials are looking into the alleged killing of a juvenile female elephant spotted being tied to a tree along the Sungai Udin riverbank in Dumpas, Tawau.
The endangered pygmy elephant, which is believed to have been killed by a gunshot due to a large wound behind its back, was discovered by anglers on Wednesday.
Sabah Wildlife Department director Augustine Tuuga said they were alarmed at some pictures of the carcass, which were being circulated on social media.
“After we received photos and forwarded texts of the alleged find, we deployed our rangers to the site to carry out an inspection.
“A team comprising veterinarians and animal forensic experts was also there to assist in the investigation,” he said.
Tuuga said initial inspection found the dead elephant to be a female juvenile.
“As for its age and when it died, we will need to do a post-mortem,” he said, adding that the team might only be able to start the probe today.
The investigation will also focus on the cause of death and who is responsible for the killing.
In photos and text circulated on social media, it was said that the elephant was purposely tied to a tree to prevent it from being swept away by river currents.
The message also said that it could be that the calf was tied there to feed crocodiles and that the cause of its death is still unknown.
It urged the authorities to investigate the case and take action against those behind the inhumane act.
The endangered pygmy elephant, which is believed to have been killed by a gunshot due to a large wound behind its back, was discovered by anglers on Wednesday.
Sabah Wildlife Department director Augustine Tuuga said they were alarmed at some pictures of the carcass, which were being circulated on social media.
“After we received photos and forwarded texts of the alleged find, we deployed our rangers to the site to carry out an inspection.
“A team comprising veterinarians and animal forensic experts was also there to assist in the investigation,” he said.
Tuuga said initial inspection found the dead elephant to be a female juvenile.
“As for its age and when it died, we will need to do a post-mortem,” he said, adding that the team might only be able to start the probe today.
The investigation will also focus on the cause of death and who is responsible for the killing.
In photos and text circulated on social media, it was said that the elephant was purposely tied to a tree to prevent it from being swept away by river currents.
The message also said that it could be that the calf was tied there to feed crocodiles and that the cause of its death is still unknown.
It urged the authorities to investigate the case and take action against those behind the inhumane act.
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