Another pygmy elephant killed, tusks missing

Last month, a pygmy elephant carcass was found, riddled with 70 gunshot wounds. (Bernama photo)

KOTA KINABALU: A second bull pygmy elephant has been found shot dead, and its tusks missing, at a plantation in Beluran, a month after the brutal killing of a similar animal in Tawau.

Several gunshot wounds were found in the elephant, Sabah Wildlife director Augustine Tuuga told Star Online.

He said the elephant’s carcass was discovered by plantation workers on Saturday. The elephant is believed to have been dead for at least three days.

Details of a post-mortem examination are awaited, and Tuuga said investigators are working closely with security forces to find the culprits.

Five people have been arrested for the killing of the elephant in Tawau in September and are expected to be put on trial soon.

The adult elephant, believed to be 30 years old, was found to have more than 70 bullet wounds. Its two tusks had been sawn off and were later discovered in a Felda farm. A cache of guns and ammunition was also found. - FMT