LAHAD DATU: A female wild elephant was found dead in the underground hole of an old sewage tank at Danum Valley Field Centre (DVFC), after it is believed to have fallen in it.
According to the police report, the Lahad Datu Wildlife Department was informed about the incident on Oct 31.
Upon arrival, a Wildlife Department team discovered that the elephant was still alive and carried out an operation to rescue it.
However, the operation was suspended due to the presence of a wild elephant herd in the nearby area. Inspection at 1pm on Nov 1 found that the elephant had died.
There was no foul play or wound on the carcass. The elephant was buried at 5.15pm at the DVFC area according to the Wildlife Department Standard Of Operation.
Preliminary investigations showed the elephant fall into the hole that was not fully closed.
The case has been classified as Refer to Other Agency (ROA) and handed over to the Wildlife Department for further action.
