PHNOM PENH, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- A seven-month-old endangered Asian elephant was spotted dead in Cambodia's Mondulkiri province, with a sharp force injury in the lower part of its chest, said a Ministry of Environment's statement on Saturday.

Rangers found the 200-kg elephant dead in a forest in Kaoh Nheaek district on Friday, the statement said.

"An autopsy was carried out, but authorities did not find a bullet in the mammal," the statement said, adding that a further probe is underway.

"The Ministry of Environment would like to express its deepest condolences for the loss of this rare species in Cambodia's protected area and condemn the perpetrators for their crime against the Law on Natural Protected Areas," it said.

The ministry also called on relevant authorities to launch a thorough investigation into the case to arrest the perpetrators for prosecution in accordance with the law.

Listed as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) are some of the largest mammals on the planet.

According to the statement, it is estimated that there are currently 500 to 600 Asian elephants in Cambodia's natural forests, mainly in the Cardamom Mountains and eastern plains of Mondulkiri, Ratanakiri and Stung Treng provinces. Enditem

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