KOTA KINABALU: An elephant calf, which was rescued by wildlife rangers on Monday (June 20), has died.
The female calf, who was estimated to be around two years old, succumbed to its injuries Tuesday (June 21), after wildlife veterinarians amputated its foot which was nearly severed from a trap in an oil palm estate in the Tungku area of Lahad Datu district.
"I am very sad to hear that we lost the calf," Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said when contacted Wednesday (June 22).
He said based on the report provided to him by the Sabah Wildlife Department, the calf was showing good recovery prospects after the June 20 amputation.
"It looked healthy and even ate and drank like a normal healthy elephant.
"However, the next day (June 21), the calf became quite weak and depressed. Treatment and medication were given and the elephant responded well but in the afternoon, it collapsed.
"It had tried to get up but collapsed again and a moment later at about 6.15pm, the elephant stopped breathing. The attending veterinarian confirmed its death," Jafry said in quoting the report provided to him.
He said the autopsy carried out Wednesday found that the death was due to failure of vital organs such as the heart and lungs as well as internal bleeding along the alimentary tract including stomach and intestines.
"It was the result of an infection to the wound it had suffered since being snared," he said.
Jafry hoped that such injuries and deaths of Sabah endangered pygmy elephants would not recur in the future.
"I call on all levels of Sabah society to work together to curb the installation of traps which are illegal to prevent injuries and deaths to wildlife, especially endangered species such as elephants," he added.
The female calf was first spotted by estate workers on Saturday (June 18), hobbling along and dragging its injured right leg, but was only found by wildlife rangers on June 20 within the Tungku area.
The department has offered RM5,000 reward to anyone who can give credible information that leads to court prosecution of the culprit, especially if they know who planted the traps.
The public can call 016-810 9901 with the informants' identity kept confidential.
