KOTA KINABALU: Roadblocks and tighter patrols have been mounted around the vicinity of Tongod after an elephant was found dead with its head hacked off in a forest reserve, in what authorities believe was a poaching attempt for its tusks.
Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said they believe the Bornean elephant was killed at the Pinangah forest reserve on Sunday, but rangers and police could only enter the area on Monday due to bad weather and difficult terrain.
Based on initial investigations, estate workers there had heard a loud blast on Sunday.
“When the estate team found the elephant carcass on Monday, part of its head was missing, believed to have been chopped off with a sharp object, based on an L-shaped cut,” he said, adding that it could be the work of illegal ivory sellers.
Jafry said no gunshot wounds were found on the exposed side of the elephant’s body, but a post-mortem will be conducted to determine the cause of death.
“Investigations are also ongoing to find the culprits and witnesses,” he said, adding that the state is doing its best to protect Sabah’s wildlife.
