This is so horrible!
The pygmy elephant that was found half-submerged in the water on 25th September was said have been shot 70 times till it died, reported The Star.
The carcass was found tied to a tree at the Sungai Udin riverbank in Dumpas, Tawau district, Sabah.
Source: facebook
Following that, a team of veterinarians along with wildlife officials went to conduct a post-mortem on the carcass when they made a heartbreaking discovery. The elephant was found covered in more than 70 bullet holes and it is believed that it was shot from a close distance before the poachers removed its tusks.
Source: the star
The Sabah Wildlife department said that at least 4-5 poachers were involved in the killing of the adult male elephant. The 70+ bullet wounds on the body show that the poachers used semi-automatic guns to shoot at it from close proximity.
They added,
“It is not sure whether the elephant suffered greatly before dying, but one bullet went right through the left temple.”
That shot fractured the skull and went straight to the elephant’s brain, which meant that it brought death upon the majestic creature. But it is unclear whether that was the first shot that went in – as there were over 70+ bullet wounds on the elephant.
Source: the star
Sabah Wildlife Department director Augustine Tuuga said,
“The nature of the elephant’s death is cruel.”
Pygmy elephants are protected under (Schedule 1) of the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997 and anyone found guilty of killing them could be jailed up to five years and slapped with a fine of RM250,000.
This is beyond cruel! We hope that authorities will be able to find the perpetrators and justice will be brought unto them!
Also read: Dead Baby Elephant in Sabah Found Shot & Tied to Tree, Allegedly Left in River to Feed Crocodiles
