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| Cambodian elephants in the wild |
PHNOM PENH, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- The remains of three wild
Asian elephants were found inside the protected area of Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary
in Mondulkiri province in eastern Cambodia and evidence suggested the elephants
were slaughtered by well- organized poachers, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
said Wednesday.
"The remains of two mature large females and one calf
were discovered on Monday," the WWF said in a statement. "WWF calls
on the Cambodian government to immediately strengthen enforcement measures to
protect this globally endangered mammal."
It said that an examination of the elephant skeletons
suggested that the two female elephants were shot in the head and died at the
same place approximately three months earlier.
The investigation team is still to determine the cause of
death of the calf.
"While the reason behind the killings remains unclear,
female elephants do not have tusks so poaching for ivory is unlikely," the
statement said.
"An estimated 570 Asian elephants are found across
Cambodia, with Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary home to approximately 150
elephants," said Micah Ingalls, WWF-Cambodia's Acting Country Director.
"The loss of any of these animals is a major blow to
efforts to protect and recover the population of this majestic creature."
The statement said that wildlife poaching is intensifying in
protected areas in Mondulkiri province and is threatening already vulnerable
animal populations.
Last month, the killing of a large pregnant gaur inside
Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary was also recorded. Gaur is a globally threatened
and IUCN-Red listed ungulate species.
"Illegal activities and wildlife poaching are eroding
decades of investment by the Cambodian government and WWF in conservation and
protected areas management," Ingalls added. "Criminal activity in
Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary must be shut down or we risk losing the great
wilderness of the Eastern Plains landscape."
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