Several days ago, a video surfaced showing the gruesome death of a male Borneo pygmy elephant in Kinabatangan. The elephant’s body was found decapitated, its head completely severed, and its tusks removed—likely by poachers.
This isn’t the first time such a horrific incident has occurred. Since 2018, over 80 pygmy elephants have been reported dead, with most cases involving poisoning, snare traps, or gunshots. These deaths have continued unchecked, with no sign of justice for the animals or answers for the public.
The last official population count estimated fewer than 1,000 pygmy elephants remain, with only about 400 able to breed. Conservationists warn that at this rate, these gentle giants may go extinct within a decade.
Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew has announced a full investigation into the latest killing, but how far will it go? Investigations in the past have rarely resulted in concrete action. The last known prosecution was in 2021, when two individuals were jailed for killing an elephant in Tawau. Beyond that, most cases are met with silence.
The protection of pygmy elephants falls under the Sabah Wildlife Department, which has long struggled with a lack of manpower and resources. Yet, this doesn’t explain why the department is often tight-lipped about these cases. Unlike police, who would hold press conferences on crimes, the department rarely informs the public unless pressed by the media.
The Sabah State Elephant Action Plan 2020-2029 was supposed to change things. It aimed to protect the species through measures like wildlife corridors, which connect fragmented habitats. While some corridors, like those linking Tabin Wildlife Reserve and Silabukan Forest Reserve, have been built, their impact has been limited.
Human-elephant conflict is rising as plantations expand, forcing elephants into smaller habitats. Companies like Sabah Softwoods Berhad have partnered with NGOs like WWF-Malaysia to establish wildlife corridors. But can these companies balance conservation with profit? Their involvement raises questions about whether economic interests undermine genuine conservation efforts.
Sabah has already lost its last Sumatran rhino. Are we heading toward the same fate for the pygmy elephant? These animals are dying not just because of poachers or habitat loss but because of inaction.
The silence from authorities, conservation groups, and even the public is deafening. Sabahans deserve answers. The elephants deserve better.
If we continue down this path, these gentle giants will be gone forever. And when that happens, there will be no one to blame but ourselves. – BorneoVox, January 25, 2025.
