KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Veterinary Services Department is carrying out sample tests from dozens of wild bearded pig carcasses to determine whether they had died of poisoning or infectious disease.
Its director Dr Peter Lee said a team of veterinarians had obtained samples from some of the carcasses, including bone marrow samples for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for diseases and solid feed for toxicology test.
"However, due to continuous rain and the area is flood-prone, it was difficult to get samples of live wild bearded pigs from the same area where the carcasses were found," he said.
So far, he said initial testing showed the samples were negative for infectious diseases and the department's veterinarians were still working on several other samples.
He said the department would only release the full result once all tests were completed.
Lee said whatever caused the deaths of the wild bearded pigs, it did not affect the domestic pigs that were also found in the area.
"However, the department is not taking any risk and is extending its surveillance of the wild bearded pig herds from Kinabatangan to Beluran and Paitan.
"This is in accordance with the provisions of the State legislation under Section 26 of the Animal Enactment 2015, which is to determine whether animal diseases are to be blamed for the deaths or otherwise.
"I would advise everybody not to draw premature assumptions or spread rumours that could create panic among the public."
Earlier today, Sabah Wildlife Department warned public against buying meats of hunted animals after 34 wild boars were found dead in the forests.
It was reported 29 wild boar carcasses were found in Kinabatangan, while another five carcasses were found in Sugud and Paitan in the span of one week since Jan 28.
Lee noted the veterinary services department had first learned of the case on Jan 28, during an online meeting with the wildlife department.
He said 14 adult wild bearded pigs were also found dead in the Kinabatangan region between December last year and January this year.