Authorities investigate horrific killing of endangered species, as conservationists and the public demand justice.
A Borneo pygmy elephant was discovered decapitated and mutilated along the Kalabakan-Sapulut road, about 25km from Maliau Basin in Tawau, Sabah.
A video circulating on social media showed the elephant’s severed head and limbs, reportedly found by a passing motorist.
Authorities have been alerted, with the Sabah Wildlife Department confirming a police investigation and post-mortem are underway.
“This is one of the most brutal attacks we’ve seen on Sabah’s elephants,” said a conservationist, suspecting poachers shot the animal before mutilating it.
Newly -appointed Sabah Wildlife Department’s director, Soffian Abu Bakar, was unavailable for comment.
The public has been urged to share any information with the department’s Tawau office.
With only 1,500 to 2,000 pygmy elephants left in the wild, Sabah’s critically endangered elephants face growing threats.
Poaching for ivory remains a concern, but the gruesome nature of this killing was rare, conversation groups say. – January 20, 2025.
