Dead elephant, missing tusks, no cause yet: Sabah awaits lab results on Kinabatangan carcass

The Sabah Wildlife Department is conducting an in-depth investigation into the death of a male elephant found in the Kinabatangan River.

Initial findings revealed the elephant had several injuries and both tusks missing, prompting further inquiry.

Minister Jafry Ariffin emphasized the need for evidence-supported investigations and called for public cooperation, highlighting the state's commitment to wildlife protection.

The exact cause of death remains undetermined, pending laboratory and post-mortem results.

KOTA KINABALU, Oct 5 — The Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) is conducting further investigations into the death of a male elephant found in the Kinabatangan River, near Angco Jaya Plantation and Lot 4 of the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary.

Minister for Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Jafry Ariffin said the department initially received a report of a dead elephant in the river near Pontian Plantation.

A team comprising the Rapid Response Team (RRT) and honorary wildlife rangers from Sukau subsequently carried out an inspection and located the carcass after it was believed to have drifted downstream from the initial reported location.

“The carcass was pulled onto the riverbank with the assistance of machinery from Angco Jaya Plantation to enable a physical examination and post-mortem to be carried out.

“The elephant was identified as a male, approximately six feet tall and estimated to be between 14 and 18 years old. Based on the condition of the carcass, it was estimated to have died about four to five days before the examination,” he said in a statement.

Jafry said the examination found several injuries and that both tusks were missing, and these findings are now part of the Wildlife Department’s ongoing investigation.

“At this stage, we do not want to speculate on the circumstances surrounding the injuries, the missing tusks or the cause of death. These matters require further investigation and must be supported by evidence,” he said.

He said the department conducted a post-mortem on Oct 1 with samples of the elephant’s organs and stomach contents collected for laboratory analysis.

“At this stage, the exact cause of death has yet to be determined. We are awaiting the laboratory results as well as the full post-mortem findings.

“I have instructed the Sabah Wildlife Department to conduct a thorough investigation into all aspects of this case, including the circumstances surrounding the missing tusks.

“The department is also taking a statement from the person who first reported the incident as part of its follow-up investigation,” he said.

Jafry said the state government views the incident seriously and appropriate action would be taken should the investigation establish any element of human involvement or violation of wildlife laws.

He also called for the public’s cooperation in helping the Sabah Wildlife Department establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

“Anyone who may have knowledge of this case is urged to come forward and report it to the department immediately,” he said.

“We must allow the Wildlife Department to complete its investigation and obtain the laboratory findings. There should be no speculation over the cause of death until the scientific findings and investigations are complete.

“The protection of Sabah’s wildlife is a responsibility we take seriously, and incidents such as this must be investigated thoroughly and based on evidence,” he said. — The Borneo Post

‘Hopefully, we will meet again in Sepang’: Anwar thanks F1 fans for rocking Malaysia

Malaysia’s F1 return hinges on five-year plan covering funding, promotion and logistics, says FIA chief

In Dewan Rakyat today: MPs set to grill ministers on Tabung Haji funds, MA63 oil and gas rights, food security, and ageing

Parliament is not above Constitution, says Azalina

沙巴野生动物部门正在对在京那巴当岸河发现的一头雄性大象的死亡事件进行深入调查。

初步调查结果显示，这头大象身上有多处伤口，而且两根象牙都不见了，这促使人们展开进一步调查。

贾弗里·阿里芬部长强调了开展有证据支持的调查的必要性，并呼吁公众合作，强调了国家对野生动物保护的承诺。

确切的死因尚未确定，需等待实验室和尸检结果。

哥打基纳巴卢，10 月 5 日讯——沙巴野生动物局 (SWD) 正在对一头雄性大象在京那巴当岸河中被发现死亡一事进行进一步调查，该大象的死亡地点靠近安哥再也种植园和京那巴当岸野生动物保护区 4 号地块。

旅游、文化及环境部长拿督贾夫里·阿里芬表示，该部门最初接到报告称，在笨珍种植园附近的河里发现了一头死象。

由快速反应小组 (RRT) 和苏考的荣誉野生动物巡护员组成的小组随后进行了检查，并在据信已从最初报告的位置向下游漂移后找到了尸体。

“在 Angco Jaya Plantation 的机械协助下，尸体被拖到河岸上，以便进行尸体检查和尸检。

“经鉴定，这头大象为雄性，身高约六英尺，估计年龄在14至18岁之间。根据尸体状况推断，它大约在检查前四到五天死亡，”他在一份声明中说。

贾弗里表示，检查发现有多处伤口，并且两根象牙都不见了，这些发现目前已成为野生动物部门正在进行的调查的一部分。

他说：“现阶段，我们不想对伤情、象牙失踪或死因等情况进行猜测。这些问题需要进一步调查，并且必须有证据支持。”

他说，该部门于 10 月 1 日对大象进行了尸检，并采集了大象的器官和胃内容物样本送往实验室进行分析。

“目前，确切的死因尚未确定。我们正在等待实验室的检测结果以及完整的尸检报告。”

“我已经指示沙巴野生动物部门对该案件的各个方面进行彻底调查，包括象牙失踪的情况。”

“作为后续调查的一部分，该部门还在向最初举报该事件的人了解情况，”他说。

贾弗里表示，州政府非常重视这起事件，如果调查证实存在人为因素或违反野生动物保护法的行为，将会采取适当的行动。

他还呼吁公众配合沙巴野生动物部门查明事件的全部情况。

他说：“任何了解此案的人都应立即挺身而出，向有关部门举报。”

“我们必须允许野生动物部门完成调查并获得实验室检测结果。在科学调查结果出来之前，不应该对死因妄加猜测。”

“保护沙巴野生动物是我们认真对待的责任，此类事件必须根据证据进行彻底调查，”他说。——《婆罗洲邮报》

“希望我们能在雪邦再次相遇”：安华感谢F1车迷们让马来西亚如此精彩

国际汽联主席表示，马来西亚重返F1取决于一项涵盖资金、推广和后勤的五年计划。

今天在下议院：议员们将就朝圣基金、1963年马来西亚协议中的石油和天然气权益、粮食安全和老龄化问题质询部长们。

阿扎利娜说，议会并非凌驾于宪法之上。