Elephants Poisoned in Johor

We are often bombarded with heartbreaking news of Borneo pygmy elephant deaths in Sabah – last year, six were found poisoned in palm oil plantations. 

It's been quiet thus far this year, touch wood. 

But in Johor, the discovery of three dead elephants grabbed the news.

The carcass of an elephant at Kampung Sri Timur 3, near Kluang, Johor on June 04, 2019. Image credit: Bernama

Wildlife officials who were alerted to the latest deaths said that the three females had been poisoned. Based on the size of the soles of the mammals, they were estimated to be 18, 20, and 22 years old. 

It is believed the jumbos were from a breakaway group in the nearby Lenggor Forest Reserve. 

Water, Land and Natural Resources minister Dr Xavier Jayakumar in a Thursday statement said that according to Perhilitan’s investigation, the private electric fencing surrounding the area – where the elephants were found on Tuesday – that had been erected by the villagers was not functioning and which allowed the pachyderms to trespass into the said area. 

I sometimes wonder if we are really serious about animal conservation. 

Perhilitan director-general Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim had promised the department will hunt down the elephant killers. Sure but how about being proactive for a change?

And more posters of CV+'s Kerala project: