KOTA KINABALU: An elephant calf, believed to have been hurt by a trap, might not survive much longer if no one comes forward to help it, say rangers.
The calf, which can be seen walking with much difficulty alongside its mother, was said to have been lingering at the Tawai Forest Reserve Area close to a Pan Borneo Highway project site, for the past few days.
A video of this was shared by the Community Elephant Ranger Team Telupid, on Wednesday (Sept 23).
According to the team, they were informed on the matter by a Pan Borneo Highway contractor.
“We have reported this matter to the Wildlife Department in Sandakan, veterinarians and Telupid Forestry office.
“Our volunteers are also on site to monitor the calf’s condition,” said the post.
Sabah Wildlife Department director Mohd Soffian Abu Bakar said their officials have gone to the area to try and locate the elephants.
“We have not managed to trek the two elephants down but our ground personnel will continue to find them,” he said when contacted.
Based on past reports, elephants with severely injured or severed feet rarely survive long in the wild, because they walk long distances in search of food and to escape predators.
They can, however, survive if given prompt medical and veterinary intervention, and lifelong human support such as being placed in a sanctuary.
Sabah’s elephants continue to fall victim to irresponsible and inhumane actions such as being killed, poached for its tusks, poisoned or trapped as human-animal conflicts grow amid rapid developments and agricultural activities.
