Rare pygmy elephants are found dead

Ten endangered Borneo pygmy elephants have been found dead in a Malaysian forest, with wildlife officers saying that they were probably poisoned.

The carcasses were found near each other in the Gunung Rara Forest Reserve, Laurentius Ambu, director of the wildlife department in Malaysia’s Sabah state on Borneo island, said.

Officers also rescued a calf that was apparently trying to wake its dead mother.

Poisoning appeared to be the likely cause of the deaths, but officials have not determined whether it was intentional, said Sabah environmental minister Masidi Manjun. There was no sign of poaching.

“This is a very sad day. The death of these majestic and severely endangered Bornean elephants is a great loss to the state,” Mr Masidi said.

The WWF estimates that fewer than 1,500 Borneo pygmy elephants exist.