KOTA KINABALU: A Borneo pygmy elephant which was rescued from a snare trap a week ago in Taliwas, Lahad Datu, died from injuries sustained from the illegal device just a day after being translocated to the Bornean Elephant Sanctuary (BES).
The male, estimated to have been between 7 and 9 years old, was scheduled to undergo further treatment for his wound at the BES, said Sabah Wildlife Department public relations officer Siti Nur’ain Ampuan Acheh.
It was earlier reported that the pachyderm was showing signs of improvement, and that its badly-infected snare trap wound was healing.
“The animal was found to be very weak on Sunday morning, having been unable to stand up.
“Despite hours of emergency treatment, the animal could not be saved and was confirmed dead at 3pm on the same day.
“A post-mortem has been conducted and the cause of death was multiple organ failure caused by septicaemia (blood poisoning) brought about by the deep snare trap wound which is (believed to have been) more than five weeks old,” Siti Nur’ain said in a statement.