KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s endangered pygmy elephants are at risk of cadmium (heavy metal) poisoning, but it might take years before authorities find the source of the pollution.

       State Wildlife Department director Augustine Tuuga said the recent elephant death at an oil palm estate in Ulu Tungku, Lahad Datu was most probably caused by poisoning as cadmium was found in its organs.

       He said there were high levels of cadmium in the elephant’s liver and kidneys.

       From the results, the authorities determined that the elephant’s death was due to cardiorespiratory failure as a result of total breakdown of its internal systems.

       Tuuga said the animal experienced multiple organ failure due to congestion and infection as a result of septicemia, following its suspected ingestion of toxic substances.

       He said further tests were required to confirm the exact cause of death.

       “How it ingested cadmium is a question we are still trying to answer. It might take years before we find out where the cadmium came from,” he said.

       Tuuga explained that among the reasons for this was the high cost of analysing the samples from the animal, about RM10,000 per analysis for each sample collected.

       He said Sabah did not have a specific laboratory to conduct such tests, so samples had to be sent to the National Poison Centre in Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang whenever an analysis was needed.

       He said the department was trying to raise more funds to conduct such analyses within the state.

       Last year, a report of a scientific study revealed that heavy metal pollution from unknown sources around plantations was posing a threat to Sabah’s wildlife.

       The study coincided with the post-mortem report on the death of three Borneo pygmy elephants from cadmium poisoning in November.

       The study conducted on small carnivores over eight years since 2013 found 13 different types of metal in their fur and – worryingly – lead, mercury, chromium and cadmium.

       Carried out under the Kinabatangan Small Carnivore Programme, which evaluated the health of such animals in the area, the study’s findings also pushed for more in-depth investigation to identify the sources of the heavy metals as this would be a crucial step in protecting wildlife, human welfare and economic development.