M'sian rescuers save 10 pygmy elephants
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Quick action by wildlife rescuers saved a herd of 10 Bornean pygmy elephants that had wandered off their range and ventured as close as 10km from the east coast town of Lahad Datu in eastern Malaysia.
The rescue unit from the Sabah wildlife department captured and relocated the nine female adults and the lone male, a four-year-old calf, in an operation from January 18 to 25.
Disclosing details of the eight-day roundup yesterday, unit senior officer Jibius Dausip said the elephants had ventured more than 45km from the Tabin wildlife reserve.
“We received a call from Tungku Simpang Ladang Permai, near Lahad Datu, that the elephants were roaming near his house,” he said. Wildlife rangers rushed to the scene and captured the elephants using tranqualiser darts. Department veterinarian Dr Diana Ramirez said the female elephants were transported to the Tabin reserve, with two of the largest animals fitted with satellite collars provided by the Danau Girang Field Centre.
The calf was transferred to the Low Kawi wildlife park, near here. “Its trunk was severely injured, probably from a snare trap. Without captive intervention it would have little chance of survival in the wild,” she said.
