Repeat killing: Another elephant found headless in Sabah
New Straits Times
April 6, 2025
See link
https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2025/04/1197807/repeat-killing-another-elephant-found-headless-sabah
for photo.
KOTA KINABALU: Another Borneo pygmy elephant has been found decapitated in
Tawau, the Sabah Wildlife Department confirmed.
Its director, Mohd Soffian Abu Bakar, said a report on the headless carcass
was received three days ago, and an investigation is underway.
The remains were found decomposing along the Kalabakan-Sapulut road in
Tibow.
This marks a repeat of a similar case in January, when a baby elephant was
discovered decapitated in the same area.
Authorities suspect organised poaching targeting Sabah's iconic and
critically endangered pygmy elephants.
The Borneo pygmy elephant is the smallest subspecies of Asian elephants,
noticeably smaller than its mainland cousins.
They are known for their long tails—sometimes reaching the
ground—relatively large ears, and straighter tusks.
Fewer than 1,500 are believed to remain in the wild.
Despite being smaller than African elephants, the Borneo pygmy is still the
largest land mammal on the island, standing at 8.2 to 9.8 feet tall.
Once thought to be descendants of a domesticated herd gifted to the Sultan
of Sulu in the 17th century, genetic studies have revealed a different
story.
DNA analysis by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) found that Borneo elephants
are genetically distinct from other Asian elephants, having been isolated
from their mainland and Sumatran relatives for around 300,000 years.
The state government vowed to hold those responsible for the baby
elephant's brutal killing in January accountable.
State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew
condemned the act and said her ministry had taken immediate steps to track
down the culprits.
It is understood Christina will issue a statement after receiving the full
investigation report on this latest incident.
https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2025/04/1197807/repeat-killing-another-elephant-found-headless-sabah
Repeat killing: Another elephant found headless in Sabah
New Straits Times
April 6, 2025
See link
<https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2025/04/1197807/repeat-killing-another-elephant-found-headless-sabah>
for photo.
KOTA KINABALU: Another Borneo pygmy elephant has been found decapitated in
Tawau, the Sabah Wildlife Department confirmed.
Its director, Mohd Soffian Abu Bakar, said a report on the headless carcass
was received three days ago, and an investigation is underway.
The remains were found decomposing along the Kalabakan-Sapulut road in
Tibow.
This marks a repeat of a similar case in January, when a baby elephant was
discovered decapitated in the same area.
Authorities suspect organised poaching targeting Sabah's iconic and
critically endangered pygmy elephants.
The Borneo pygmy elephant is the smallest subspecies of Asian elephants,
noticeably smaller than its mainland cousins.
They are known for their long tails—sometimes reaching the
ground—relatively large ears, and straighter tusks.
Fewer than 1,500 are believed to remain in the wild.
Despite being smaller than African elephants, the Borneo pygmy is still the
largest land mammal on the island, standing at 8.2 to 9.8 feet tall.
Once thought to be descendants of a domesticated herd gifted to the Sultan
of Sulu in the 17th century, genetic studies have revealed a different
story.
DNA analysis by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) found that Borneo elephants
are genetically distinct from other Asian elephants, having been isolated
from their mainland and Sumatran relatives for around 300,000 years.
The state government vowed to hold those responsible for the baby
elephant's brutal killing in January accountable.
State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew
condemned the act and said her ministry had taken immediate steps to track
down the culprits.
It is understood Christina will issue a statement after receiving the full
investigation report on this latest incident.
https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2025/04/1197807/repeat-killing-another-elephant-found-headless-sabah
