A PYGMY elephant found dead with multiple gunshot wounds is the result of human-animal conflict in Sabah, Tourism, Environment and Culture Minister Masidi Manjun said.  

He said the killing of the elephant reflected a lack of awareness of conservation and importance of wildlife to the state’s tourism industry.  

“What makes me feel really disappointed is some Sabahans don’t realise the importance of conservation of the Borneo pygmy elephants. 

“The Borneo pygmy elephants are iconic to the state. Sabahans should look at these beasts as one of the revenues contributing to the state tourism sector,” he said in Kota Kinabalu today. 

The Sabah Wildlife Department confirmed today the discovery of a female pygmy elephant with multiple gunshot wounds in a plantation close to the Malua forest reserve in the Kinabatangan area. 

The department is currently probing into the cause of death, said its director, Augustine Tuuga. 

“We will issue a statement once the probe has been completed,” he said. 

Although the cause of death is still being investigated, Masidi believed the elephant could have been killed for encroaching into cultivation ground.

“My hope is that the Wildlife Department could bring the person responsible for shooting the elephant to justice as soon as possible.”

Masidi added that Sabahans should call the department should they find any wildlife in their plantations. – August 7, 2017.