Rescued elephant calf dies a day after amputation

KOTA KINABALU: A rescued elephant calf showed promises of recovery after its injured right foot was amputated, but sadly died a day after the surgery.

The female calf, estimated to be around two years old, succumbed to its injuries on Tuesday after wildlife veterinarians amputated its foot, which had been nearly severed by 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 elephant calf,” Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said when contacted.

He said based on the report provided to him by the Sabah Wildlife Department, the calf was showing good recovery prospects after the amputation on Monday.

“It looked healthy and even ate and drank like a normal healthy elephant. However, the next day, 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, it stopped breathing.

“The attending veterinarian confirmed its death,” Jafry said, quoting the report provided to him.

He said the autopsy carried out yesterday found that the death was due to failure of vital organs as well as internal bleeding along the alimentary tract including the stomach and intestines.

“It was the result of an infection to the wound she had suffered since being snared,” he added.

Jafry said he hoped that such injuries and deaths of Sabah’s endangered pygmy elephants would not recur.

“I call on all levels of Sabah society to work together to put a stop to the installation of traps, which is 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 last Saturday, hobbling along and dragging its injured right leg, but was only found by wildlife rangers on Monday within the Tungku area.

The department has offered a RM5,000 reward to anyone who can give credible information leading to prosecution of the culprit.

The public can call 016-810 9901 and the informants’ identity will be kept confidential.