LAHAD DATU, Sept. 28 -- The carcass of a female Bornean pygmy elephant was discovered on Friday morning at the Felcra Bhd Estate Danum's Block 57.

A plantation supervisor found the elephant during a routine patrol at approximately 10.20am, according to a report from the estate's management to the Sabah Wildlife Department.

Sabah Wildlife Department director Mohd Soffian Abu Bakar stated the elephant is believed to have died one to two days before it was found in the Danum Valley Forest Reserve area.

"Preliminary checks showed no signs of wildlife crime such as gunshot wounds, bullet casings, or external injuries on the animal's carcass," he said in a statement on Saturday.

"However, the cause of death has yet to be determined."

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