KOTA KINABALU: A Malaysian veterinarian working for WWF Cambodia was severely injured after an elephant gored him during a conservation operation to place cameras on the animal.
Dr Navaneetha Roopan, 30, from Selangor, suffered multiple injuries when the elephant tusked him from behind at a forest reserve area in Trapeang Metay in the MondulKiri province last Friday.
It was learned that his condition was serious but stable as of yesterday, and he was being treated at a hospital in Phnom Penh.
He had apparently shot a tranquilliser dart at the elephant to allow him to place a camera on the animal when the attack took place.
He reportedly suffered fractures and other injuries.
According to Khmer Times, the veterinarian was initially taken by the WWF team to the Mondulkiri Provincial Referral Hospital before being airlifted by helicopter for further treatment at Phnom Penh.
Dr Roopan previously worked with the Sabah Wildlife Department’s wildlife rescue unit before leaving last year to join WWF Cambodia.
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