Shafie, who has been sworn in as chief minister, said he was saddened by the deaths, which occurred within a month, and suggested the previous administration lacked the will to solve the state’s wildlife woes.
“I want the Sabah Wildlife Department to conduct a thorough probe into these deaths and take appropriate action to stop more unnecessary deaths that endanger our wildlife.
“Perhaps, the previous government did not have the political will to push through more drastic actions that would affect the big logging companies and plantations?
“I don’t know why it still occurs after so many claims of solutions from the previous government,” Shafie said in statement here today.
The cause of deaths of the elephants, from early April to May 20, has yet to be established.
Shafie instructed state Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Christina Liew to immediately get a briefing on the situation and see how best to fast-track all necessary efforts to protect Sabah’s endangered wildlife.
He said the deaths of the endangered “gentle giants of Sabah”, with one as young as one-year-old, should not have occurred if proper measures were taken to prevent human-elephant conflict as well as poaching.
“The government is committed to the preservation and conservation of Sabah’s wildlife and natural resources.
“I am aware much has been said and perhaps done by the past government. However, the deaths of the elephants, whether by poaching or other causes, continue unabated.
”I do not want just lip service. I want to see short and long-term conservation plans drawn up to be implemented on a fast track basis.
“The government will facilitate such efforts and not bow to pressure from any groups.”
He also told the Sabah Wildlife Department and Sabah Forestry Department to work closely together to protect wildlife and forests.
They should also work with NGOs in fast-tracking forest corridors without fear of business interests, he added.
“I believe the network is there for implementation but there has been little will in the past to push it through,” Shafie said.