Terrible find: A Sabah Ranger standing beside the decomposed carcass of Liningkung at the Ulu Segama Forest Reserve on Sabah’s east coast
Photo:

Malaysia: Yet another endangered Borneo pygmy jumbo found dead in Sabah
14th December 2017;

Another critically endangered Borneo Pygmy Elephant (Elephas maximus borneensis) has been found dead even as conservationists call for informants and professional investigators to be engaged to stop the killing.

The Elephant, the ninth slain in the last 14 months, was a healthy 12-year-old bull named Liningkung, that was fitted with a satellite collar 18 months ago.

It was found in the Ulu Segama Forest Reserve on Sabah’s east coast on Tuesday.

Rangers discovered its decomposed carcass with the tusks untouched.

“I believe it was shot by poachers but escaped before eventually dying from its wounds,” Danau Girang Field Centre (DGFC) director Benoit Goossens said.

Liningkung’s movements were being monitored by DGFC on a weekly basis, Goossens said, and they alerted Sabah Forestry officials on Dec 11 to say that it had not moved since Dec 3.

A team is in the area to carry out a post-mortem.

"It is another sad day for Elephant conservation. If this goes on, we might be staring at its extinction,” Goossens said.

There are only about 1,500 Elephants left in Sabah’s forests.

This is the third elephant found dead in the same area in the past year.

Goossens said it is vital for a special wildlife enforcement unit to be set up to go after wildlife poachers and traders as suggested by chief conservator of forests Datuk Sam Mannan.

Meanwhile, Marc Acrenaz, scientific director for Sabah-based wildlife research and conservation NGO Hutan, said informers and professional investigators are needed to stop the killing.

“Many years ago, locals killed these animals for food and it was not too serious.

"Now, we see that things have changed and people are poaching for the international trade or killing them because of animal-human conflicts,” he said.

No suspects have been identified in many of these cases, including a recent incident where a bull Elephant was shot in the mouth and died of dehydration because it could not eat or drink.

“The authorities lack people on the ground,” Acrenaz said.

“We need a strong team which can identify the culprits and bring them to justice,” he said, adding that the killings might stop then.

For now, Acrenaz said, there are not enough rangers to cover all the places where animals – especially endangered species like the Pygmy Elephants, Orang Utan (Pongo pygmaeus) and Pangolins (Manis javaica) – roam.

He said the three main reasons for poaching and killing were conflicts between landowners and animals (especially Elephants), poaching of bush meat because of demand by tourists, and the international underground trade in exotic meat and animal parts like ivory and Pangolin scales.

Source: The Star

Another Elephant was found dead in Sabah yesterday, making it the third such death this year.
Photo: Sabah Forestry Department

Malaysia: Cold-blooded killers: Third Elephant turns up dead in Sabah
By Olivia Miwil, 13th December 2017;

Yet another Borneo Elephant (Elephas maximus borneensis) was found dead in Sabah yesterday, making it the third such death this year.

The decomposing remains of an Elephant was found by Sabah Forestry personnel at the Kawang Forest Reserve yesterday.

Based on a Facebook post by the Danau Girang Field Centre (DGFC), the Elephant, known as Liningkung, was collared by them in May last year.

Due to conflicts with the community, it was translocated from the Telupid area to the Ulu Segama Forest Reserve.

“He lived happily for 18 months before he was most likely shot by poachers.

"The tusks were still on the animal which leads us to assume that he had escaped from his poachers.”

DGFC provided Lininkung’s location to Sabah Forestry officers when the Elephant was stationary.

In the post, they also lauded Sabah Forestry’s annoucement on setting up a special wildlife enforcement unit to go after wildlife poachers and traders.

Source: New Straits Times

The carcass of a decade-old bull Elephant named Liningkung was found with tusks intact yesterday in the protected forests of Sabah
Photos: Danau Girang Field Centre

Malaysia: Pressure mounts to arm Sabah wildlife enforcers after Elephant found shot dead
By Julia Chan, 13th December 2017;

Calls for an elite armed wildlife enforcement team to combat poaching in Sabah has gained traction with the death of another bull Borneo Elephant (Elephas maximus borneensis) believed to have been shot inside a protected area.

Danau Girang Field Centre (DGFC) director Benoit Goossens said the decomposed carcass of a 12-year-old collared Elephant named Liningkung was found in the Ulu Segama Forest Reserve, not very far from Kawag Danum Rainforest Lodge and 5km from the Sabah Forestry Department’s office in the area.

“The carcass was found yesterday by forestry officials when I alerted them about my concern of a lack of movement from the GPS tracking device.

"It died on 27 November 2017 if I trust my satellite data,” Goossens told Malay Mail when contacted.

He said that the carcass was found with tusks intact, leading them to believe that the Elephant got away from poachers.

“According to SFD officer who found the carcass, he did not see any bullet wounds on the skull. But it does not mean that the animal has not been shot. The carcass was very advanced with just the skin left. SWD is doing a post-mortem today. We have advised them to bring a metal detector to try and find any slugs left in the remains,” he said.

SFD refers to the Sabah Forestry Department while SWD refers to the Sabah Wildlife Department.

Liningkung was collared and translocated from Telupid area to Ulu Segama Forest Reserve in May 2016, following conflicts with villagers.

He was believed to have been roaming there for 18 months before being most likely shot by poachers.

This is the third Elephant found dead in the area after a special inverted-tusked Sabre (also collared by DGFC) and another bull were found shot and de-tusked last December.

Recently, SFD director Datuk Sam Mannan, who is also chief conservator of forests said there was a need to set up a special wildlife enforcement unit to go after wildlife poachers and traders.

Goossens said that the team was needed urgently now before it was too late for the remaining wildlife in Sabah, many which are facing extinction due to loss of habitat, land fragmentation and illegal hunting.

“It is absolutely vital to have a specialised team to track down these poachers or else we will lose all our charismatic species… Elephants, Bantengs (Bos javanicus), Pangolins (Manis javanica), etc,” he said.

According to Mannan, the team would be on a 24 hour surveillance, be armed and concentrate on intelligence tracking as well as prosecution of offenders.

Source: Malay Mail

• The tusks of Liningkung were found along with the carcass, leading officials to believe it fled from poachers after it was shot.
• Forestry rangers at the site where the highly decomposed carcass of Liningkung was found.

Photos: Sabah Forestry Department

Malaysia: Collared Elephant Bull Found Dead Near Kawag Reserve; Tusks Intact
13th December 2017;

Liningkung, one of the few collared Bornean Elephants (Elephas maximus borneensis), was found dead close to the Kawag Forest Reserve on Tuesday morning.

The severely decomposed carcass of the Elephant bull was found by staff of the Sabah Forestry Department, after Danau Girang Field Centre (DGFC) was “concerned about a lack of movements and provided his latest GPS location.”

Liningkung is believed to have been shot by poachers, but escaped, and fled to the Reserve where it eventually died.

News of the Elephant’s death, the eighth in the last 14 months, was posted on DGFC website Wednesday.

Benoit Goossens, the DGFC Director, confirmed the discovery of carcass and with its tusks intact.

This is the ninth reported death of the ‘totally protected’ Bornean Elephant in Sabah within the last 14 months.

In its Facebook posting, DGFC wrote:

“This is with great sadness that DGFC is announcing the death of Liningkung, a beautiful Elephant bull that was collared and translocated from Telupid area to Ulu Segama Forest Reserve in May 2016, following conflicts with villagers.

"He lived happily for 18 months before being most likely shot by poachers. His carcass was found yesterday morning by Sabah Forestry Department’s staff after DGFC was concerned about a lack of movements and provided his latest GPS location.

"The tusks were still on the animal which leads us to assume that he escaped from his poachers.

"This is the third Elephant found dead in the area after Sabre (also collared by DGFC) and another bull were found shot and de-tusked last December.”

Goossens added: “The recent move announced by Sam Mannan, Chief Conservator of Forests, to set up a special wildlife enforcement unit to go after wildlife poachers and traders is absolutely vital, or else we will lose all our charismatic species… Elephants, Bantengs (Bos javanicus), Pangolins (Manis javanica), etc.”

A veterinarian from the Sabah Wildlife Department is at the site conducting a post mortem.

Source: BorneoToday

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https://www.facebook.com/147476775319983/photos/pcb.1591197044281275/1591189647615348/

https://www.facebook.com/147476775319983/photos/pcb.1591197044281275/1591189650948681/

1. Carcass of Liningkung
2. Satellite collar that was set up on Liningkung and that helped finding his carcass
3. Carcass of Liningkung with SFD’s rangers

Photos: Sabah Forestry Department

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This is with great sadness that DGFC is announcing the death of Liningkung, a beautiful Elephant (Elephas maximus borneensis) bull that was collared and translocated from Telupid area to Ulu Segama Forest Reserve in May 2016, following conflicts with villagers. He lived happily for 18 months before being most likely shot by poachers. His carcass was found yesterday morning by Sabah Forestry Department’s staff after DGFC was concerned about a lack of movements and provided his latest GPS location. The tusks were still on the animal which leads us to assume that he escaped from his poachers. This is the third Elephant found dead in the area after Sabre (also collared by DGFC) and another bull were found shot and de-tusked last December.

The recent move announced by Datuk Sam Mannan, Chief Conservator of Forests, to set up a special wildlife enforcement unit to go after wildlife poachers and traders is absolutely vital, or else we will lose all our charismatic species… Elephants, Bantengs (Bos javanicus), Pangolins (Manis javanica), etc.

Source: Danau Girang Field Centre Facebook

The injured Elephant at the Borneo Elephant Sanctuary where it was being treated before it died on Wednesday.

Malaysia: Captured Elephant at Telupid died from dehydration due to tongue wound
By Augustine Tuuga, 9th December 2017;

A male Elephant (Elephas maximus borneensis) aged 6-7 years died while undergoing treatment at the Borneo Wildlife Sanctuary, Kinabatangan on the morning of December 6, 2017.

The Elephant was captured in Desa Plantation, Ladang Pertama on November 24, 2017 by the Wildlife Department’s Rescue Unit for relocation and treatment because it showed signs of injury on its left front leg and was aggressive towards estate workers and villagers.

Reports of its appearance at Desa Plantation first surfaced on November 5, 2017. Wildlife personnel were sent to manage the situation because it was reported that the Elephant was charging estate workers that came across its paths.

The same Elephant was also reported to have caused panic among people in the nearby villages and estates in Telupid for its aggressive behaviour by charging people it encountered along its path.

After tracking the Elephant for some time, wildlife personnel finally encountered it at Desa Plantation on November 24, 2017, where it was successfully captured.

The Elephant was then taken to Borneo Elephant Sanctuary for treatment.

While undergoing medical examination and treatment, its tongue was found to have a serious wound which was believed to have been caused by gunshot.

The wound on the tongue caused the Elephant to be unable to eat or drink.

The Elephant was found dead on the morning of December 6, 2017 despite efforts by veterinary officers to treat the wounds.

A post mortem to determine the cause of death was conducted on the same day.

During the post mortem procedure, a slug bullet was found lodged in the injured front left leg. There were also signs of other gunshots on the body, but they did not penetrate or cause any internal organ injury.

The cause of death is believed to be due to dehydration because the Elephant was unable to drink due to the injury to its tongue.

While the Wildlife Department fully understand the problem faced by the people associated with Elephant in their environment, it really appreciates cooperation from all concerned by contacting its nearest office for assistance to mitigate disturbance and property loss.

The Wildlife Department meanwhile investigates the case as it involved the death of a totally protected species.

Source: BorneoToday

The male Bornean Pygmy Elephant died while undergoing treatment.
Photo: Sabah Wildlife Department

Malaysia: Bornean Pygmy Elephant dies while undergoing treatment at Sabah sanctuary
By Avila Geraldine, 8th December 2017;

A male Bornean Pygmy Elephant (Elephas maximus borneensis) died while undergoing treatment at the Borneo Wildlife Sanctuary in Kinabatangan, two days ago.

The Elephant, aged between six and seven, was found dead in the morning by veterinary officers of the Sabah Wildlife Department.

Department director Augustine Tuuga, in a statement, said a post-mortem examination was conducted on the same day to establish the cause of death.

“During the examination, a bullet slug was found lodged in its injured front left leg.

"There were also sign of gunshots on the body but they did not penetrate or cause any internal organ injury.

"The cause of death is believed to be due to dehydration as the Elephant was unable to drink due to an injury on its tongue,” he said.

The department’s rescue unit had on Nov 24 captured the Elephant, which is listed as a totally protected species, in Desa Plantation, Ladang Pertama for relocation and treatment.

It showed sign of injury on its left front leg and was aggressive towards estate workers and villagers.

Its appearance at Desa Plantation was first reported on Nov 5.

Tuuga said wildlife personnel were sent to manage the situation because the Elephant was reportedly charging estate workers who came across its path.

The same Elephant was also reported to have caused panic among nearby villages and estates in Telupid for its aggressive behaviour.

“After tracking the Elephant for sometime, wildlife personnel finally encountered the Elephant at Desa Plantation Nov 24 and successfully captured it.

"The Elephant was then taken to the Borneo Elephant Sanctuary for treatment.

"While undergoing medical examination and treatment, its tongue was found to have a serious wound which was believed to have been caused by a gunshot.

"The wound on the tongue left the Elephant unable to eat or drink,” explained Tuuga.

While the department fully understood the problem faced by residents who encounter the Elephant, Tuuga called on people to alert the authorities.

“We will investigate the case further as it involves the death of a totally-protected species,” he said.

This is the second incident involving the death of Bornean Pygmy Elephants this week.

On Tuesday, a bull Elephant was found dead with three gunshot wounds, within the Cenderamata Plantation Estate in Tawau. Its tusks were intact.

Last month, another male Elephant with its tusks intact was also shot dead within the same plantation.

Source: New Straits Times

Photo: Sabah Wildlife Department, via New Straits Times

Malaysia: Borneo Pygmy Elephant dies due to dehydration after being shot
8th December 2017;

An endangered Borneo Pygmy Elephant (Elephas maximus borneensis) has died from dehydration triggered by gunshot wounds.

Veterinarians and wildlife rangers could only watch helplessly as the gentle jumbo died due to injuries on his tongue and mouth.

“It could not eat or drink as we tried to provide treatment at the Borneo Wildlife Sanctuary,” said Sabah Wildlife Department director Augustine Tuuga in a statement late Friday (Dec 8).

He said the seven-year-old bull Elephant died on Dec 6, more than a week after it was rescued from the Desa Plantation near Telupid, some 210km from here.

Tuuga said they had received reports from villagers and estate workers about an injured Elephant that was running amok.

He said villagers said the Elephant was charging at people that were in its path.

“It was then captured on Nov 24 for relocation,” he said.

Tuuga said the Elephant was then taken to the Borneo Elephant Sanctuary for treatment.

While undergoing medical examination and treatment, its tongue was found to have serious wounds, believed to have been caused by gunshots.

“We are not sure whether this Elephant was shot by poachers or villagers,” Tuuga said.

A post-mortem found a bullet lodged in the Elephant’s front left leg, as well as other signs of gunshots on the body.

“However, the wounds on the body were only external,” Tuuga said.

He urged villagers and estate owners as well as workers to inform wildlife rangers if they come across Elephants on their land instead of handling the matter on their own.

Source: The Star

Photo: Sabah Wildlife Department, via New Straits Times

Malaysia: Injured Elephant captured in Sabah oil palm plantation dies
8th December 2017;

A male Elephant (Elephas maximus borneensis) that was captured at an oil palm plantation in Telupid last month died at the Borneo Wildlife Sanctuary in Kinabatangan last Wednesday.

Sabah Wildlife Director Augustine Tuuga said the Elephant, estimated to be six or seven years of age, had shown signs of injury when it was captured by the Wildlife Department’s Rescue Unit.

He said the Elephant was reported to have been aggressive towards plantation workers and villagers in surrounding areas, which led to its capture on Nov 24 at Desa Plantation, and was then taken to Borneo Elephant Sanctuary.

“While undergoing medical examination and treatment, its tongue was found to have serious wound, believed to have been caused by a gunshot.

"The wound on the tongue made the Elephant unable to eat or drink,” he said in a statement here tonight.

Tuuga said a post mortem conducted on the Elephant found a bullet lodged in the injured front left leg and there were also gunshot marks on the body, but did not penetrate or caused any internal organ injury.

"Dehydration is believed to be the cause of death because the Elephant was unable to drink due to the injury on its tongue,” he said.

Tuuga said the Sabah Wildlife Department would be investigating the case as it involved the death of a totally protected species.

“While the Sabah Wildlife Department fully understand the problem faced by the people associated with Elephant in their environment, we would really appreciate cooperation from all concerned by contacting the department’s nearest office for assistance to mitigate disturbance and property loss,” he said.

Source: Malay Mail

This bull Elephant was found wounded at an estate in Telupid last week. Despite efforts to save it, the pachyderm succumbed to its gunshot wounds. – Photos were posted on Facebook, which have since been taken down by the account holder.

Malaysia: Wounded Bornean Elephant dies after being shot in Telupid
7th December 2017;

Yet another of Sabah’s famed but dwindling numbers of the Bornean Elephant (Elephas maximus borneensis) has been killed.

The 10-year-old bull Elephant is believed to have succumbed to its injuries on Wednesday despite the valiant efforts by the Sabah Wildlife Department to save it, a week after it was shot by unidentified persons in Telupid.

However, officials were tight-lipped when asked to comment, and neither did Augustine Tuuga, the SWD director respond to a query by BorneoToday early Thursday afternoon.

This is the eighth reported death of the ‘totally protected’ Bornean Elephant in Sabah within the last 14 months.

Workers at Ladang Duta in Telupid had earlier reported to the SWD of the presence of a ‘sick Elephant’ at the vicinity of their estate, and a team was despatched further investigate

It is believed that the Elephant was probably hunted by poachers and shot at least three times, but managed to escape its attackers and fled to the plantation in the area.

The incident was believed to have taken place some seven to 10 days ago.

Plantation workers who witnessed the rescue operations told BorneoToday they were informed that the wounded jumbo was being taken to the Borneo Elephant Sanctuary at Bilit for further treatment.

BorneoToday was made to understand that the cause of death of the elephant was severe complication from the gunshot wounds in its mouth that prevented the Elephant from eating anything.

A Facebook user had uploaded photos of the rescue mission – name withheld by BorneoToday – as he had since deleted the photos from his account in the last 12 hours.

The last known death of a Bornean Elephant was around last November 14 when a bull Elephant was found shot dead by suspected poachers at an oil palm estate, about 30 kilometres from Tawau, along Jalan Merotai–Kalabakan.

Source: BorneoToday