Kota Kinabalu: The Wildlife Department is offering a RM5,000 reward to anyone who can identify those responsible for setting up a snare trap at Lahad Datu which resulted in a young female elephant losing its right front foot.
Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin warned against setting up such snare traps.
He said the department on June 18 received a report about an injured juvenile elephant in the Tungku area. The team was able to locate the elephant at Felda Sahabat 5.
“The snare trap injured the front right leg of the female baby elephant, which is less than two years old,” he said.
A follow-up inspection revealed that the leg had been severely fractured as a result of the trap being too tight.
Part of her ankle had to be removed by the veterinary officer who performed the procedure to prevent the foot tissue from getting more serious and dysfunctional.
“I am deeply grieved that certain parties’ irresponsible trap-setting has resulted in the young elephant’s terrible injuries. Setting up snare traps is a cruel act punishable under the Wildlife Conservation Enactment of 1997.
“The ankle had to be removed to save this baby elephant. This has resulted in the elephant losing her capacity to live independently with her herd, as well as having to live with a lifelong impairment.
“At less than two years, baby elephants still rely on their mothers for nourishment and social interaction with their herds,” he said.
Under section 33 (1) (k) (iii) of the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997, hunting animals with snare traps is a crime punishable by a fine of not less than RM20,000 but not more than RM100,000, or by imprisonment for not less than six months but not more than five years, or by both.
He urged those with information to contact the Wildlife Department at 016-810 9901.
