KINABATANGAN: Six of the 20 wild elephant deaths recorded in Sabah this year involved gunshots, with authorities pledging to investigate suspected illegal killings.
Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said the deaths were recorded between January and Oct 8.
One involved electrocution, five were classified as systemic cases, two involved decomposed carcasses and six were categorised as other traumatic injuries.
Jafry said not all deaths were linked to poaching or revenge killings, as elephants could also die from natural causes, diseases, injuries and accidents.
“Any death suspected to involve illegal activity will be investigated and the department will continue to take appropriate action under the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997,” he said when met in Kinabatangan.
Sabah Wildlife Department director Mohd Soffian Abu Bakar said human-related threats included poaching, revenge killings and snares intended for other wildlife.
Electric fences and trenches used to keep elephants out of plantations could also endanger the animals if safety and maintenance guidelines were not followed.
Despite manpower and operational challenges, the department’s conservation efforts are supported by 225 community rangers trained and appointed as honorary wildlife wardens under the federally funded Biodiversity Patrolling and Protection Programme.
They assist with patrols, roadblocks, snare-clearing operations and responses to incidents involving elephants and crocodiles.
The department also trains volunteer elephant control and herding teams formed by villages and oil palm plantations frequently affected by the animals.
