The slaying of a rare pygmy elephant in Sabah, which was found decapitated with its trunk sliced off, has sparked a probe into a series of similar attacks, reports said today.

The mutilated head of the protected animal, the world's smallest species of elephant, was floating in a river in Sabah. It was the third slaying of a pygmy elephant reported over the last eight months, The Star newspaper said.

Chief Minister Musa Aman expressed shock over the killing and ordered a full probe into what he described as a "senseless act", promising criminal charges against those found responsible.

Asked if he thought that villagers angry over crop damage caused by the giant beasts could be responsible, he said it should be made widely known that pygmy elephants were a protected species.

Elephant Conservation Unit official Rosdi Sakong told the daily that the mutilation of the female adult elephant indicated it was "an act of vengeance". The rest of the body has not been found.

State officials said they feared more elephants might be killed if nothing was done to resolve the problem of elephants being displaced due to oil palm cultivation in the area.

Displaced herds have destroyed palm plantations and villagers who suffered losses were rumoured to be venting their frustrations by killing the elephants, they said.