Sabah probes suspected ivory poaching after mutilated Bornean elephant found in Tongod forest reserve

“KOTA KINABALU, May 19 — Sabah authorities are investigating the death of a Bornean elephant found mutilated in a forest reserve in Tongod, believed to be linked to ivory poaching. State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said he was deeply concerned by the discovery of the dead elephant within the nursery forest area of the Sungai Pinangah Forest Reserve. According to reports, the Kinabatangan Wildlife team received a complaint at approximately 8.25am on May 18, 2026 regarding a dead elephant suspected to be linked to wildlife crime. A field inspection was conducted the same day at 12.13pm at the incident site within the nursery forest area in Sungai Pinangah Forest Reserve, Tongod. A male Bornean elephant (Elephas maximus borneensis), measuring approximately 2.9 metres in height with a footprint size of 1.45 metres, was found with its face and mouth cut in an L-shaped pattern using sharp tools, while the tusks were missing and suspected to have been removed. Initial inspections also found cut marks on the head area. According to investigations, estate staff in Tongod had on May 17 at about 5.30pm heard a loud explosion-like sound. However, inspection efforts could not be carried out immediately due to continuous heavy rainfall throughout the night. At 6.30am the following morning, the estate manager together with staff conducted monitoring activities and discovered the dead elephant. At this stage, no gunshot wounds were detected on the body parts examined, although a full examination of the animal is still ongoing. Heavy rainfall during the suspected period also made it difficult for investigators to identify tracks and evidence at the scene. “The exact cause of death has yet to be determined and a post-mortem examination together with further investigations will now be carried out by the Sabah Wildlife Department,” said Jafry. “I wish to stress that if investigations confirm the involvement of poaching activities, illegal ivory removal or other wildlife offences, firm action without compromise must be taken against those responsible,” he said. “The Bornean elephant is one of Sabah’s most iconic and protected wildlife species and remains an important component of the state’s biodiversity and conservation efforts. Any act threatening its survival must be treated seriously. “We cannot allow Sabah to become a ground for wildlife crime. Every loss of a protected species is a loss to our natural heritage and the future of Sabah’s biodiversity.”

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