“Maybe not drones, but new (technology) that can enable us to locate where and who they are,” he told reporters at his office here today.

This comes after Beluran police chief Kasim Muda said they had detained a 20-year-old man in connection with the killing of the elephant at a plantation in the district.

He said rangers from the Sabah Wildlife Department had brought in the man, a guard at the plantation, at 11.30pm yesterday.

Rangers are still in the midst of investigating the matter and recording witness statements. They have also confiscated the plantation’s entry logbook.

Several gunshot wounds were found in the body of the elephant, which was also missing its tusks.

This follows the discovery of another bull pygmy elephant found dead in Tawau last month. That elephant, believed to have been about 30 years old, was found with more than 70 bullet wounds. Its tusks, which had been sawn off, were later discovered at a Felda farm, along with a cache of guns and ammunition.

Six people, including Felda plantation guards, have been arrested and are expected to be put on trial soon.

Sabah Wildlife Department director Augustine Tuuga said the elephant carcass in Beluran was discovered by plantation workers on Saturday. It was believed to have been dead for at least three days.

Shafie said wildlife killings in Sabah had been used by international players in their efforts to influence the global market against Malaysian crude palm oil (CPO).

“Of course this has impacted our CPO,” he added. “This is among the issues highlighted by many, including players in developed countries.

“I think this must be taken seriously. I will sit down and get the details of how it happened,” he said, adding that firm action would be taken.

However, he said the killings were unlikely to affect conservation funds from NGOs including those from abroad.

“The more these incidents happen, the more they’ll be around to ensure they can help us,” he said.