KOTA KINABALU: An elephant calf which had its foot amputated recently had been in agony for days due to an almost-severed foot before wildlife rangers found it in the Lahad Datu district.
Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said he was told that the female calf, believed to be about two years old, was first spotted by estate workers on Saturday (June 18), hobbling along and dragging its injured leg.
"Wildlife rangers were told that the calf was last seen in the Tungku area in Lahad Datu," he said.
"They eventually found it at the Felda Sahabat 5 area and saw that its right foot had a deep cut due to a trap and there was a rope still attached," he said.
Jafry said wildlife rangers did a follow-up check on Monday (June 20) and saw that the injury was getting worse.
"They had to cut off the lower part of its foot to prevent infection and further aggravation of the injury," he said, adding that it was a hard but necessary decision.
"It is sad because the calf will now have trouble walking properly. It still needs to feed off its mother and socialise but its current condition will make it difficult," Jafry said.
He said a RM5,000 reward is being offered to anyone who can give credible information that leads to court prosecution of the culprit, especially if they know who planted the traps.
"The number to call is 016-810 9901. The informants' identity will be kept a secret," he said.
Earlier, Jafry said it is an offence under the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997 to hunt using booby traps.
Offenders can be fined between RM20,000 and RM100,000 or jailed between six months and five years upon conviction.
"No one is allowed to use such traps to hunt as it harms wildlife," he said.
Jafry said plantation operators must also ensure that no such traps are set in any part of their estates or they could be considered as being involved or playing a part in helping the offenders.
The calf is currently under the care of the Wildlife Department.