The ivory trade and elephant poaching have plagued conservation efforts for decades.
Claims arose on social media recently that the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) sold 19 elephants to unknown buyers.
Is this true?
VERDICT:
False
In a statement on Friday (March 27), Perhilitan director-general Datuk Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim said the elephants in question were not being sold but were "loaned" out for conservation purposes.
He added that this was part of Perhilitan's efforts to ensure the continuity of the species in the event of disease or disaster and to reduce instances of human-wildlife conflict.
Perhilitan stressed that they would monitor all the elephants concerned, in cooperation with the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry.
It also warned against spreading inaccurate information that can cause confusion and negative perception of the country's conservation efforts, adding that action would be taken against them.
A post on the Threads social media platform on Wednesday (March 25) alleged that Perhilitan was involved in the sale of 19 elephants to unspecified parties.
