KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government is offering a RM10,000 reward to anyone with information that could help identify those behind the recent killings of Borneo pygmy elephants in Tawau.
This comes after the discovery of a third decapitated elephant in the district this year, sparking fresh outrage over the poaching of the endangered species.
Sabah Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew said the reward was intended to encourage witnesses or informants to come forward with evidence.
“How can we stop these senseless killings? We cannot sit by and watch as one killing follows another,” she said during a media interview after attending the Jiangsu TV Music and Travel Live concert at a hotel here on Wednesday night (April 10).
“Some people know who is responsible, but they refuse to come forward. We call upon those with useful information to be brave and come forward. If we have solid evidence, we can bring the culprits to court, where they could face up to five years in prison and a RM250,000 fine,” she added.
The first two cases of beheaded elephants in Tawau were reported in January and earlier in April.
Meanwhile, Sabah Wildlife Department director Mohd Soffian Abu Bakar said that the third carcass discovered was in an advanced state of decomposition, making it impossible for a post-mortem to be carried out.
“In contrast, the elephant carcass discovered on April 3 was still fresh,” he said when contacted.
Soffian had earlier said that all three elephants were believed to have been shot before they were beheaded. He added that the tusks were likely removed quickly by decapitating the elephants.
“It takes time to extract the tusks from the skull, so the quickest way to leave the scene with them is by cutting off the head,” he said. “The shooter or shooters are believed to be experts.”
The Bornean pygmy elephant is listed as a fully protected species under the Sabah Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997. Those found guilty of harming or killing the animals face hefty fines and jail time.
