KOTA KINABALU: The carcass of a Bornean pygmy elephant found floating in the Kinabatangan river early this week had been mutilated by poachers.
The elephant hunters had not only removed the endangered mammal’s tusks, but had also cut off its left leg at the thigh.
“Based on the condition (of the carcass), the (injuries were inflicted) by humans. There was no sign of it being torn off due to decay or being eaten by crocodiles.
“Since there was no gunshot wound, we can only assume that the bull was caught in a snare trap and its leg was cut off by poachers,” Sabah Wildlife Department director Augustine Tuuga said when contacted.
He also revealed that poachers sliced off skin on the left side of the elephant’s body.
“We are not sure why the leg and the skin were removed. Probably for consumption, but we are not quite sure of this. The department will investigate this further, including determining the exact point where it was killed,” Augustine said.
The carcass of the male elephant, aged between 15 and 20, was spotted by a group of tourists on a river cruise near Sungai Koyah in Kinabatangan, on Monday.
It is believed that the elephant died three days prior to its discovery.
On the separate discovery of a male calf found dead within a plantation in Dumpas, Tawau on Sept 10, Augustine said that the elephant was about 3-years-old and did not die due to poaching activity.
“It probably died due to an infection or accidental food poisoning. The calf could have eaten grass or plants (covered) with pesticides in the plantation, but I have yet to receive a full report of the analysis,” he said.
Following the death report, a wildlife team was sent to the field the following day and collected samples of the calf’s internal organs for analysis.
Detailed inspection of the calf showed that there was parasitic infestation, and its organs, including its liver, spleen and kidney were severely decomposed.
Augustine said the calf is believed to have died two days before it was discovered by plantation workers.