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According to the Sabah Wildlife Department, a rare pygmy elephant with backward-facing tusks has been spotted in the Malaysian state of Sabah on Borneo island by a team of wildlife experts. The 20-year old bull was discovered near a palm oil plantation a little over a month ago on August 11, 2016 in Tawau. It’s features are that of a normal elephant, with large ears and a long tail, however it’s tusks grow backward instead of forward, giving it the resemblance of a saber-tooth tiger.

A similar elephant was spotted a few years ago in Sabah and another one last year, yet one with backward-facing tusks is a rare occurrence and has now been categorized as a new discovery. The downward facing tusks remains a puzzle, yet they don’t seem to impede the elephant during his usual tasks in the forest.

Assistant Director Sen Nathan of the Sabah Wildlife Department had this to comment;

“It is very rare and unusual. We’re not exactly sure why the tusks are like that, but it could be a congenital defect or maybe because of inbreeding. This is a rare find, but all elephants are unique on it’s own.”

Also in response, Andrew Sebastian, co-founder of the Ecotourism and Conservation Society of Malaysia;

“The tusks resemble the prehistoric saber-tooth tiger, but, of course, they are not related. The elephant’s reversed tusks are certainly interesting but they could cause problems when it comes to jostling with other elephants. It could make wildlife watching in Sabah more interesting.”

However the unfortunate reality for pygmy elephants is they’re considered endangered under the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. They are the smallest elephants in Asia and their numbers in the wild have dropped alarmingly low (about 2,000 to 2,500 remaining). Mainly this is due to the destruction of their natural habitats. In recent years, several elephants have been shot or poisoned by wandering into orchards or plantations in search of food.

According to the World Wildlife Fund website (WWF);

“The primary threat to these elephants is the loss of continuous forests. Mammals of their size require large areas to find sufficient food. The large blocks of forests they require are fragmented by encroachment and conversion of natural forests to commercial plantations.”

These pachyderms have every right to this land as we do, unfortunately many don’t agree with this and focus only on how much they can profit from the land, disregarding and disrespecting anything other than their own gain. Let us reverse the recycle. Consider a donation (even $5.00) to the wildlife foundation of your choice in support of these gentle giants (or precious pygmy’s). Also, consider withdrawing from purchase of palm oil or products/produce imported from Malaysia. Opt for a local farmer’s market or start a garden to grow your own fruits and vegetables instead.

These elephants and other affected wildlife need our protection and we can vote with each dollar spent in support of them having basic animal rights. ♥

Sources:

(1) http://cleanmalaysia.com/2016/08/14/saber-toothed-elephant-found-sabah/

Image: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/image/3037554/1471001666000/large16x9/768/432/an-elephant-with-downturned-tusks-pictured-at-a-palm-oil.jpg

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