Wildlife dept identifies cause of elephant calf’s death after post-mortem
SANDAKAN: The dead elephant calf found floating in the Kinabatangan River on Monday had suffered from ulcerative gastritis that led to severe loss of blood in its gastrointestinal system, revealed the preliminary finding a post-mortem.
Sabah Wildlife Department public relations officer Siti Nur’ain Ampuan Acheh said the cause of the ulcerative gastritis could be of an infectious or noninfectious origin.
Samples of vital internal organs were taken for toxicology and bacteriology analyses, she said in a statement.
“Confirmation of the cause of death can only be ascertained when results of the analysis of the samples are obtained,” she said.
Siti Nur’ain said the postmortem was conducted by a veterinary officer from the Sabah Wildlife Department on the bull calf, estimated to be two to three years old, and which was found f loating close to the Pangi Forest Reserve. of
A physical examination did not detect any external injuries, she said.
Siti Nur’ain also said that a bull elephant aged between seven and nine years was rescued in Taliwas, Lahad Datu, after it was found with a foreleg injured by a snare.
She said the Wildlife Rescue Unit of the department captured the animal on Tuesday and found a five- centimetredeep wound infested with maggots.
“Most areas of the wound were showing signs of healing but the prognosis is still guarded. General treatment has been given to the elephant and topical wound management will continue,” she said.
Siti Nur’ain said the elephant’s general condition, such as hydration and appetite, would be observed as the injury still needed time to fully heal.
She said the elephant would be transferred to the Borneo Elephant Sanctuary for further treatment and observation. — Bernama