Wildlife deaths going on for years

SAHABAT Alam Malaysia (SAM) is shocked to learn of the deaths of six pygmy elephants, aged between 1 and 37, between April 6 and May 20. These deaths have been happening for years.

Elephants are not an exception because the killing of turtles and sharks made headlines in the previous year. This is reflective of the poor protection measures by the authorities.

That the slaughter is happening frequently can only mean that those entrusted with the task of protection are not doing enough.

Those responsible for the killings have not been charged, and the cause of death of the pygmy elephants and others has yet to be established.

Most killings end with unresolved investigations.

The deaths of these elephants have put a negative spotlight on Sabah.

Sadly, Malaysia is sacrificing its pygmy elephants, of which there are fewer than 2,000 in Borneo.

Every year, elephants are found either shot dead or poisoned in Sabah, though the public often hears nothing about it.

It is clear that the authorities have not done enough to prevent the death of pygmy elephants or to hold those responsible for the deaths.

Although an action plan has been developed for the conservation of the Bornean elephants, implementation has been seriously wanting.

But there is a glimmer of hope now that the government has changed hands.

SAM is delighted to learn of the actions of Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal in taking action to stop the deaths of Sabah’s wildlife.

To save our pygmy elephants — the world’s smallest known pachyderms — the forest of Sabah must be restored.

At the very least, wildlife corridors must be created to allow elephants to move from one fragmented patch of forest to another, preventing them from becoming trapped in a forest island.

Other measures include creating more national parks.

SAM calls on the government and the wildlife authorities to prevent more deaths of Sabah’s wildlife.


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