BELURAN (Sabah) — Another pygmy elephant, an endangered species found in the tropical rainforests of Borneo, was found dead with its tusks removed near here on Saturday (Oct 19) morning.

Sabah Wildlife Department director Augustine Tuuga said several oil palm plantation workers stumbled on the carcass and contacted the department.

He said a team of veterinarians and forest rangers were deployed to the area and conducted a post mortem on the animal.

"From what we know, the elephant was shot dead and had its two tusks removed," he was quoted as saying in a news report on Saturday.

He said based on initial checks, the elephant could have died about three days ago.

The department, he added, was working closely with security forces following this latest case.

On Sept 23, a pygmy elephant was shot dead in Sungai Udin near Tawau. It had at least 70 gunshot wounds on its body. Its tusks were also removed.

Follow-up operations led to the arrest of six suspects, including an immigrant, who were believed to be involved in the brutal killing.

Police had seized firearms, bullets and a pair of elephant tusks during the arrests. NEW STRAITS TIMES