A baby elephant was found dead while tied to a tree at the Sungai Udin riverbank in Dumpas, Tawau district, Sabah on 25th September.
The dead calf with a large hole in its back, presumably from a gunshot, was discovered by fishermen in their boats, reported The Star.
Source: Facebook
Augustine Tuuga, Sabah Wildlife Department director, said that they were shocked when they saw the photos which were circulating on social media.
“We received photos and forwarded texts of the find, and I have instructed my rangers to go and check its authenticity, ” he said.
While the cause of the elephant’s death is unclear, whether someone shot it or if it fell into the river itself, a Facebook page, Tawau, reports that the elephant was tied to the tree on purpose to prevent it from being swept away by river currents.
They also claim that the calf was tied there to be food for crocodiles in the river.
Augustine Tuuga said that besides rangers, a post-mortem team and some vets would head to the area soon to investigate the death of the baby elephant.
He added that they would need to verify if the photos and the information being circulated are true. Once they find the carcass, they will immediately conduct investigations on the cause of death and perpetrators.
Here’s the full video:
Ini adalah video yang dikirimkan kepada kami mengenai penemuan bangkai gajah di dalam Ulu Sungai Udin, Dumpas. Kelihatan pemancing yang menyusuri sungai cuba menghampiri bangkai gaja yang terikat dengan terdapat kesan lubang kecil pada badan. Syukurlah kumpulan pemancing ini terjumpa bangkai haiwan ini masih awal.*Lihat post sebelum ini untuk info lebih mengenai bangkai gajah ini.https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10156346515327019&id=232331522018#myTawauSabah Wildlife Rescue UnitSabah Wildlife DepartmentJabatan Hidupan Liar SabahJabatan Perkhidmatan Haiwan TawauBorneo Animal Welfare Society, SabahSPCA TawauJabatan Perlindungan Hidupan Liar Dan Taman Negara (PERHILITAN)Borneo Pygmy ElephantDumpasJabatan Perhutanan TawauPejabat Perhutanan Wilayah TawauTawauMyTawauPolis Daerah TawauImbak Canyon Conservation AreaKalabakan District Forestry Office, BrantianKg BrantianDumpas Estate Sabah Softwood
Posted by Tawau on Wednesday, September 25, 2019
Oh no! If someone is found to have actually done something to the baby elephant, they deserve to be punished for killing an innocent creature.
Also read: Tikiri, the 70yo Weak & Malnourished Elephant Dies After Slavery Takes a Toll on Her Health
