Following the discovery of a male pygmy elephant shot 70 times and missing his tusks last week, police have arrested four individuals who they believe are connected to the animal’s tragic death.
Spotted by members of the public laying half-submerged in a river in Tawau, Sabah, the removal of the elephant’s body for a postmortem required heavy machinery to be brought in.
A report in The Star indicated that police have taken a shotgun and bullets into custody during a raid on a house in Sungai Udin, Tawau. The operation, dubbed Ops Bersapadu Khazanah, was a joint effort between police and the Sabah Wildlife Department.
Officers have confirmed the arrest, but will reserve details for a press conference scheduled for this afternoon.
Last week, photos of the dead elephant, with dozens of bullet holes and cut tusks, made their way onto social media much to the shock and anger of the public, triggering an investigation, and an anonymous RM30,000 (US$7,500) donation for the capture and prosecution of the individuals responsible.
Pygmy elephants are a protected species in Malaysia under the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997. Those found guilty of their murder can be jailed up to five years, and face fines of RM250,000 (US$60,000).
