KOTA KINABALU: Oil palm plantation companies are urged to boost working relations with the Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) to reduce the incidence of elephant deaths due to poisoning.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Christina Liew is appealing to all oil palm plantations within the home range of elephant herds to avoid using chemicals that can harm protected Borneo pygmy elephants.
"Such co-operation is vital so that elephant deaths as a result of possible poisoning can be greatly reduced or even avoided.
"I am extremely saddened by the latest elephant death, which is the sixth recorded this year. There is an urgent need to stop the death of elephants caused by possible poisoning," she said in a statement.
The state Tourism, Culture and Environment minister was referring to a female elephant which was found dead at Ladang Kesatuan Usaha Bersatu, near the Malua Forest Reserve, in Kinabatangan, on April 8.
Although a toxicology test is yet to be conducted on samples taken from its internal organs, Liew noted that poisoning is suspected to be the cause of death, as no external injuries were found on the elephant.
"I understand that plantations experiencing the frequent entry of elephants are already adopting the principle of harmonious co-existence with elephants by allowing free movement into their plantations. This is in accordance with recommendation outlined in the Elephant Action Plan 2020-2029.
"I really appreciate such co-operation in line with the state's conservation efforts and to enable elephants to move freely within their home range," she said.
However, Liew asserted that more could be done to considerably reduce the number of elephant deaths by making sure the animals do not accidentally consume hazardous materials when foraging within oil palm plantations.