AN elephant and its calf at Nimule National Park. (Photo: Courtesy).

An elephant was shot and killed at the Nimule National Park by suspected Uganda People’s Defense Force soldiers on February 28th, an official from the Wildlife Ministry said.

Lt. General Khamis Adiang Diing, a Director-General at the Ministry of Wildlife said the elephant was shot and injured, before it succumbed to the bullet wounds and thirst.

“This incident took place in the Nimule Reserve near the Ugandan border on the 28th of February, where an elephant was shot and killed after being wounded,” he said.

General Adiang said the wildlife authorities at the park suspect Uganda Defense Forces soldiers who are deployed in a military garrison.

“These violations are always committed by the Ugandan side, which penetrates the territory of South Sudan and kills wild animals, especially elephants.”

Adiang said when they examined the carcass of the elephant, they found that it was shot with a PKM machine gun.

The wildlife official says they report the incident to the authorities in Moyo District in Uganda.

“This operation was carried out by the Ugandan forces that were deployed in a place called Panchalla near the border board between the two countries.”

“We have reported the case to the commissioner of the Moya district in Uganda side to coordinate to end the violation of Uganda forces in South Sudan land.”

General Adiang called on the government to intervene and talk to the Uganda.

He believes that the elephant was killed for its tusks.