KOTA KINABALU: Investigation into the recent killing of a Borneo pygmy elephant in Kinabatangan is still ongoing.
Sabah Wildlife department director Augustine Tuuga said their investigation team was still at the scene gathering information.
The adult female died due to multiple gunshot wounds.
“Plantation workers said that they were not able to see the faces of poachers as the incident happened at night.
“They also claimed the culprits were from outside the plantation,” he said during a press conference after the launching of an inaugural Sabah Elephant Film Festival 2017.
Earlier in his presentation at the festival, Augustine said there had been recent poaching for elephants’ tusks.
The department had said they encountered similar cases in the past involving Indonesians who gave tusks for dowry.
“However, we are still unsure of the motive of killing elephants without tusks,” he said.
Meanwhile, state Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment minister Datuk Pang Yuk Ming said police would also help with the investigation.
“Every bullet is traceable. Let’s hope the people behind this will be caught.”
Last year, three elephants including a rare sabre tusk jumbo were mutilated by poachers in the Segama area.
Other causes of elephants’ death include the species being poisoned, illness and fights among themselves.