KOTA KINABALU: An adult Borneo pygmy elephant had made a sudden attack on his keeper while he was treating an injured calf within the Lok Kawi Wildlife Park exhibition enclosure.
The 49-year-old Sabah Wildlife Department ranger suffered injuries to his abdomen and chest after the elephant gored him to death at about 8.30am on Sunday (Dec 25).
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Penampang OCPD Deputy Supt Mohd Haris Ibrahim said initial investigations showed that the victim was carrying out routine work including feeding and cleaing up the exhibition.
"All of a sudden, an adult elephant attacked him while he was treating a calf," he said.
DSP Harris the body was sent for post-mortem at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital here.
He said police do not suspect any foul play and have classified the case as Sudden Death.
Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin has ordered the state Wildlife Department to submit the report on the incident.
The incident has shocked many with some social media asking whether necessary safety measures were in place at the Lok Kawi wildlife park.
