Johor Department of Wildlife and National Parks of Peninsular Malaysia (Perhilitan) director Salman Saaban said that they received a public report on the discovery of female elephant carcasses at around 5pm.

“Preliminary investigation found that the carcasses involved two juvenile elephants estimated to be between five to six years old. No traces of gunfire were found on the bodies or heads,” he said in a statement, today.

Based on the condition of the carcasses it was believed that the mammals died within a week or two and died due to ingestion of poison.

Salman said the two mammals were believed to have come from a herd of elephants comprising 25 to 30 members, which often roamed around the area in search of food.

He said that his department had taken several samples from the carcasses to identify the actual cause of death before they were disposed of.