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KOTA KINABALU: Sabah authorities are investigating the suspected poaching of a Bornean elephant found dead at Sungai Pinangah Forest Reserve, Tongod, with its head and tusks missing and cut marks detected on the carcass.

Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said he was “deeply concerned and saddened,” adding that preliminary inspections by the Sabah Wildlife Department, police and community rangers found no gunshot wounds, while heavy rain hampered evidence collection.

He said the elephant, believed to be a male Bornean elephant, was discovered on 18 May after estate workers reported hearing an explosion-like sound the previous evening.

“The exact cause of death has yet to be determined,” he said, adding that firm action will be taken if wildlife crime is confirmed and stressing that “we cannot allow Sabah to become a ground for wildlife crime.”