Endangered Asian elephant killed for ivory, tail in Cambodia wildlife sanctuary

PHNOM PENH, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- An endangered Asian elephant has been found dead with its tusks and tail cut off in the Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary in Northeast Cambodia's Mondulkiri province, a spokesman said on Monday.

Environment Ministry spokesman Neth Pheaktra said the male elephant was 2.70 m tall, 4.50 m long and 1.50 m wide, and its body was found Sunday in the sanctuary. "The examination of the elephant's body showed it was shot for ivory," he told Xinhua. "The elephant's tusks were missing and its tail was also cut off."

"There was a gunshot wound on the elephant's body. We are investigating the case," he added. According to surveys, Cambodia has around 500 elephants living in rainforest, especially in Northeast part and the Cardamom Mountains, the spokesman said.

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-02/25/c_137849681.htm