KOTA KINABALU: An adult male elephant was found dead at the Felda Umas Oil Plantation near Tawau.
The carcass was discovered on August 15 by the plantation manager, who then alerted the district's Wildlife Department.
Wildlife district officer Soffian Abu Bakar said the elephant aged between 18 and 25 died of gunshot wound.
"This was confirmed by our Wildlife Rescue Unit’s Veterinary Team that conducted the post mortem on the carcass later that day," he said in a statement.
According to Sabah Wildlife Department, more than 25 elephants have ventured out of its forest habitat and caused undue damage to fruit trees and small Oil Palm Plantations owned by villagers since July.
This group of elephants had also made its way close to Telupid town and eight elephants were successfully located by the Widlife personnel.