KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) is investigating the death of a Bornean elephant with missing tusks found in the Kinabatangan River, near the Angco Jaya Plantation and the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary.
State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said the carcass, believed to have drifted downstream, was a male elephant standing approximately two metres tall aged from 14 to 18 years old.
"Based on the condition of the remains, it is believed to have died four to five days prior to inspection, with initial physical checks revealing several injuries alongside missing tusks.
"At this stage, we do not want to speculate on the circumstances surrounding the injuries, missing tusks or cause of death, as these matters require further investigation supported by evidence," he said in a statement on Saturday (Oct 3).
He said a post-mortem examination was conducted by SWD on Oct 1, with organ samples and stomach contents collected for laboratory analysis to determine the cause of death.
"The state government views the matter with utmost seriousness and will enforce strict action under wildlife protection laws if any human involvement or legal violations are uncovered," he said, urging those with relevant information to come forward. – Bernama
