Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman wants the State Wildlife Department and Forestry Department to immediately and thoroughly investigate the death of 10 elephants in Tawau recently.

Musa said the state government viewed this matter seriously as Borneo pygmy elephants were an endangered species.

NONE "This is unacceptable. I want no stone left unturned in this matter. The culprits must be brought to justice," he told reporters in Kota Kinabalu today.

Musa was asked to comment on the statement by Sabah Wildlife director Laurentius Ambu yesterday that 10 Bornean elephants had been found dead within two weeks in a forest reserve in Tawau.

Laurentius was also quoted as saying that the elephants, seven males and three females, were from a single herd while a three-month calf was found alive next to what appears to be its mother.

State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Masidi Manjun was also quoted as saying that the discovery of the deaths of Borneo pygmy elephants in Gunung Rara Forest Reserve was the saddest day for Sabah's conservation efforts.

"The death of these majestic and severely endangered Bornean elephants is a great loss to the state. Though it might be too early to pinpoint a conclusive cause of death, poisoning seems to be the likely cause," Masidi was quoted as saying.

Expressing shock over the death of Borneo pygmy elephants, Musa said that these elephants were part of Sabah's rich and exotic wildlife and should therefore be protected.

"People come from all over the world just to catch a glimpse of these animals. It is unfortunate that there are people who would resort to such a horrific act, " he said.

- Bernama