Sabah wildlife staff spending Christmas with baby elephant

KOTA KINABALU: It's Christmas and time for a break to enjoy the festive occasion. But for staff of Sabah Wildlife Department, it's work as usual.

Nevertheless, veterinarian Dr Uma Maheswary Kamalanathan and wildlife ranger Arnold Supil are not complaining.

Attached to the department's Wild Rescue Unit, the duo are spending Christmas looking after an orphan baby Borneo pygmy elephant nicknamed Malu.

Sabah Wildlife's assistant director Dr Sen Nathan shared the duo's good work on Facebook yesterday, which garnered praises from netizens.

"The Christmas holidays might be upon us now but there are still a small group of people who are not taking a break from work for a good cause. Dr Uma and Arnold are good examples."

"While the rest of us spend Christmas with family and friends in the comfort of our homes, these two unsung heroes are spending theirs taking care of a recently orphaned baby Borneo elephant, Malu. They should be commended for the dedication and passion," he posted.

According to Dr Sen, the one-month-old calf had apparently strayed from its herd and was rescued by Wildlife rangers from a plantation near Malua forest reserve in Kinabatangan on Dec 19.

Malu was then transported to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre in Sandakan for further veterinary care.

"We hope under the care of the Wildlife Rescue Unit, Malu will be strong and healthy again.”

Dr Sen also thanked the Malaysian Palm Oil Council and The Orangutan Appeal UK for funding the rescue work.

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