KINABATANGAN: A herd of 11 elephants, including a calf, was rescued after being trapped in an abandoned water pond near the Deramakot Forest Reserve in Kinabatangan.
The incident occurred last week when the animals, comprising one young elephant and 10 adults, were unable to climb out of the pond due to steep and slippery embankments.
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The Kinabatangan district Wildlife Department dispatched a team to the site after receiving information from farm workers about the stranded elephants, according to a Facebook post by the Sabah Wildlife Department.
Wildlife rangers carried out a rescue operation with the help of an excavator to create a safe path for the elephants to leave the pond without suffering serious injuries.
The wildlife rangers said the farm’s location was close to rivers and wetland areas, which are part of the elephants’ natural habitat, increasing the likelihood of such incidents recurring.
To prevent a recurrence, the Wildlife Department recommended that the abandoned pond be closed off or fitted with suitable safety barriers.
“This case demonstrates the importance of cooperation between agencies, estates and the community in safeguarding wildlife.
“Every small action and early report from the public can make a big difference in protecting Sabah’s iconic species for future generations,” the Wildlife Department said.
