Pygmy elephant found dead in Malaysian river, riddled with bullets after poaching

A pygmy elephant has been found dead and riddled with bullets after being killed for its tusks.

The adult male elephant was found with its tusks removed and partially submerged in a river in Tawau district, Malaysia. It had more than 70 bullets inside its body, The Strait Times reports.

"It was found tied to a riverbank and more than half of the elephant's body was underwater," a source from the authorities told The Strait Times.

An examination of the animal's body revealed the bullets were fired from a close range, with the killing shot entering through the left temple.

It's not known how many times the elephant was struck before the bullet hit it in the head. Authorities from the Sabak Wildlife Department believe four or five poachers were involved in the attack.

The poachers are believed to have used semi-automatic weapons in the attack. 

The Strait Times contacted the Sabah Wildlife Department for comment, it confirmed a post-mortem had been conducted and the nature of the elephant's death was cruel.

It would not say anything more about the findings.

Newshub.