More Borneo elephants found dead, toll rises to 13
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysian authorities found remains of another three endangered Borneo pygmy elephants, deepening a mystery surrounding at least 13 such deaths this month.
The wildlife department in Malaysia's Sabah state is bracing for the possibility of finding more dead elephants in the Gunung Rara Forest Reserve, where an unknown number of the animals roam, said Masidi Manjun, Sabah's environment minister.
Police are investigating suspicions that the elephants were poisoned. Officials have declined to say whether there are any suspects.
The first 10 known deaths captured wide attention when they were made public this week. Authorities released several photographs of the elephant carcasses and a particularly poignant one of a 3-month-old surviving calf that appeared to be trying to wake its dead mother.
"There is definitely a sense of urgency," Masidi said by telephone from Sabah on Wednesday. "We cannot discount the possibility of more bad news."
The orphaned male elephant, nicknamed "Joe" by his rescuers, was taken to a Sabah wildlife park. Officials say it is under observation and appears healthy.
The WWF conservation group estimates that fewer than 1,500 Borneo pygmy elephants exist. Most live in Sabah, one of two Malaysian states on Borneo island, and grow to about 8 feet (245 centimeters) tall, a foot or two shorter than mainland Asian elephants.
Known for their babyish faces, large ears and long tails, Borneo pygmy elephants were found to be a distinct subspecies only in 2003, after DNA testing.
Officials are working to have a laboratory analysis of samples from the dead elephants ready "as soon as possible," Masidi said.
Department veterinarians have said the elephants, believed to belong to a single herd, suffered severe bleeding and gastrointestinal ulcers.
The wildlife department in Malaysia's Sabah state is bracing for the possibility of finding more dead elephants in the Gunung Rara Forest Reserve, where an unknown number of the animals roam, said Masidi Manjun, Sabah's environment minister.
Police are investigating suspicions that the elephants were poisoned. Officials have declined to say whether there are any suspects.
The first 10 known deaths captured wide attention when they were made public this week. Authorities released several photographs of the elephant carcasses and a particularly poignant one of a 3-month-old surviving calf that appeared to be trying to wake its dead mother.
"There is definitely a sense of urgency," Masidi said by telephone from Sabah on Wednesday. "We cannot discount the possibility of more bad news."
The orphaned male elephant, nicknamed "Joe" by his rescuers, was taken to a Sabah wildlife park. Officials say it is under observation and appears healthy.
The WWF conservation group estimates that fewer than 1,500 Borneo pygmy elephants exist. Most live in Sabah, one of two Malaysian states on Borneo island, and grow to about 8 feet (245 centimeters) tall, a foot or two shorter than mainland Asian elephants.
Known for their babyish faces, large ears and long tails, Borneo pygmy elephants were found to be a distinct subspecies only in 2003, after DNA testing.
Officials are working to have a laboratory analysis of samples from the dead elephants ready "as soon as possible," Masidi said.
Department veterinarians have said the elephants, believed to belong to a single herd, suffered severe bleeding and gastrointestinal ulcers.
I have been there. Beautiful country.
I firmly believe that upon a fair and honest court conviction the guilty should receive what they dished out.
At lest.
I am SO sad to read this tory - and Joe is SUCH a cutie! I love how his hair is standing up, reminds me of some of my son's baby photos.
I hate poachers. I hope they drop dead.
That is the most heartbreaking picture. Â Poor baby. Â Oh my, so sad.
This is so sad. I hope they find out what is causing this. Poor guy, hope they can help him survive.
This is so sad. They are such intelligent animals too.  They recognize family members when reunited after being separated for many years. Animals are one of Godâs greatest gifts to humans. I hope they find out what or who has killed them, Poor little guy that was left behind.
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I hate seeing animals suffer. Especially when more than likely, humans are the root cause of it. This picture is so sad. I hope they find a place for this little fella where he will grow up among his own kind instead of in a zoo, and I hope they find out what's causing these amazing creatures to die off.
This is terrible.  If not poison (and who would do such a thing! ), then wondering if a new strain of hemorrhagic virus may be spreading.  Poor things.
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This picture brought tears to me.The little guy trying to wake his Mommy.