The mother of the Australian vet killed by a rare pygmy elephant in a remote wildlife park in Borneo has paid tribute to her daughter.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that 25-year-old Jenna Donley was attacked and gored by the elephant in the Tabin Wildlife Reserve in Malaysia's Sabah state.

State wildlife department director Laurentius Ambu said Ms Donley was trekking with a friend and a Malaysian guide when they were charged by the elephant.

Mr Ambu told the AFP news agency that the bull may have been startled when the two tourists tried to take its photo.

While the guide and one woman managed to get away, the elephant's tusk pierced Ms Donley's body and she died instantly, he said.

This morning Ms Donley's mother Liz told ABC radio she wanted to pay tribute to her daughter's achievements in the veterinary science field.

She said losing her only child was a tragedy.

"This was an animal by itself, and they startled it," she said.

"Both her friend and Jenna weren't reckless people - they're very measured and careful, respectful of animals' environments. So this is an accident that's happened - a very tragic accident."

Mrs Donley said her daughter had recently finished her studies in veterinary science, and said she hoped she would be remembered for her work in the field.

"Jenna has recently completed her thesis on renal failure in big cats. This is most important research for the zoos that have big cats," she said.

"We have to move on with a positive note, that from Jenna's work, and from the type of person that she was - we know that she had many friends, good family - someone else now will take on that research and continue it."

The 25-year-old had previously worked with big cats while volunteering at a wildlife sanctuary in South Africa.

Mr Ambu said the women had trekked to a mud volcano but were disappointed that they did not see much wildlife so the guide took them back another way and not on the main path.

Police are questioning the guide.

Pygmy elephants, which are about 2.5 metres tall compared to around 3 metres for mainland Asian elephants, are unique to Borneo.

Authorities say the elephant, a sub-species of the Asian elephant, is considered endangered, with only around 1,500-2,000 left.

Mr Ambu said fatal attacks are rare, though single elephant bulls are known to be aggressive.

ABC/AFP