Man has been exploiting several resources for need and greed. The world’s smallest elephants have now succumb to this greed.
The smallest elephants, also known as the pygmy elephants are baby-faced with oversized ears, plump bellies and long cute tails. These gentle-natured elephants have now become the target for the illegal ivory traders.
Credits: WWF
Borneo, the largest island in Asia is no longer immune to the poaching of elephants for ivory. The issue of illegal trade came to light on the New Year’s eve, when wildlife officials in Sabah discovered carcass of one of their favourite elephants.
The elephant, named Sabre, due to its uniquely inward curved tusk is one of a kind. The bones of Sabre were found near Segama River, within the Kawag Forest Reserve. Earlier, in December, 2016, carcass of another elephant was found within this range, and just 1,500 meters from Sabre’s remains.
The wildlife officials of Malaysian Borneo said that according to Sabre’s satellite collar, he was killed on 21 November, 2016. They were saddened by the fact that not too long ago, he was let into the forest after rescuing him from a plantation near Tawau. Within a month’s time, their favourite elephant was killed for ivory.
The problem of poaching has has recently come into light in Sabah. Dr. Pakeeyaraj Nagalingam, wildlife veterinarian expressed his grief on the death of these elephants. He said, “It looks like there is no safe place for elephants in Sabah anymore”.
The tusk-less remains of the elephants were found just a day after China announced its take on the ban on ivory trade and a complete eradication of this unethical activity by the end of this year.
These pygmy elephants, which are living there since their split from the Asian elephants, are now endangered species. There are only about 2000 elephants still alive. With palm oil plantations already taking a toll on their population, the new problem is now a major concern for wildlife conservationists.
The wildlife conservation is still tracking the sinners and will soon send a notice, in the wake of this situation. Hope, the year of 2017, turns good for these cute elephants.
