A critically endangered Sumatran elephant has become the second to be found dead from apparent poisoning.
According to reports, Indonesian conversation officials have confirmed the elephant was discovered deceased at a palm oil plantation in the East Aceh Regency of Indonesia.
The 25-year-old female’s body was found on Thursday. An examination is now set to take place to analyze the contents of her stomach and determine exactly what killed her.
This comes after another Sumatran elephant was found decapitated and with its tusks removed in a suspected poaching case on Sumatra Island in Indonesia earlier this week.
Authorities are desperately hunting those responsible, but sadly the deaths of these two magnificent creatures aren’t isolated cases.
Sadly, rampant deforestation in order to create plantations means that the Sumatran elephants’ natural habit is being drastically scaled down. A knock-on effect is increased conflict with humans, while elephant tusks are a prized commodity on the black market.
Indonesia’s environment ministry estimates there are fewer than 2,000 Sumatran elephants still in the wild. It should go without saying these need to be protected before it’s too late.
My heart breaks to hear yet more news regarding cruelty against wild animals. What is it going to take for people to realize we were put on this planet to share and not to murder?
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