In Asia, pygmy elephants are only found in tropical rainforests in north Borneo, South east Asia. This elephant species is endangered, and there are only about 2,000 elephants in Borneo. Most of the elephants are in Sabah, a state on the east of Borneo island.

Sadly, Ten of these rare elephants have been found dead in a reserve in Malaysia. The elephants were between 4 and 20 years of age and most probably part of the same family. Wildlife officials say that the death suggest that may have been poisoned. They have formed a special force to investigate the deaths.

The state’s environment minister has said “If indeed these poor elephants were maliciously poisoned I would personally make sure that the culprits would be brought to justice and pay for their crime.”