Sabah Minister Vows to Hunt Down Poachers Following Discovery of Decapitated Elephant

The Sabah government has pledged to bring elephant poachers to justice following the discovery of a decapitated elephant carcass in Tawau, Sabah.

State minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew emphasised the commitment to identifying and prosecuting the culprits to the fullest extent of the law.

“We are determined to leave no stone unturned in our efforts to ensure that those responsible are held accountable,” stated Liew, who serves as the Sabah Tourism, Culture, and Environment minister.

Liew condemned the recent incident, highlighting that such acts of cruelty and poaching are intolerable. She noted that this marks the second occurrence in a short period, suggesting a troubling pattern of illegal poaching in the region.

The minister stressed the importance of vigilance and cooperation among enforcement agencies, local communities, and the public.

“We urge everyone to share any information that could aid the investigation and to remain committed to protecting Sabah’s unique biodiversity,” she said.

Meanwhile, Liew pointed out that the number of poaching cases has been increasing, particularly since the last quarter of 2024. In January, another decapitated elephant was found in Tawau.

“With only an estimated 1,500 to 2,000 individuals left in the wild, each loss is a significant setback to conservation efforts.”

She called for stronger collaboration and coordinated actions among state and federal enforcement, conservation, and security agencies to address this threat and prevent further losses of endangered species.

Stay tuned for more updates.

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