KLUANG: An elephant calf died here after it was rammed by a train transporting 70 passengers from Johor Baru to Gemas.
Kluang OCPD Asst Comm Bahrin Mohd Noh said the police received a report at 8.19pm on Saturday (March 23) from Kereta Tanah Melayu Bhd’s Kluang station manager about a possible accident involving its train and a wild animal at KM679.5.
“The location where the accident reportedly occurred was between Renggam and Mengkibol here.
“A worker saw the carcass of an elephant calf at KM679.8. The matter was also reported to the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan).
“A team of policemen rushed to the scene to find the lifeless calf on the side of the railway tracks,” he said in a statement on Sunday (March 24).
He added that four Perhilitan officers also arrived at the scene to examine the calf including taking its measurements and removing its tusks to prevent theft.
“Two other elephants, believed to be with the calf before the incident took place, managed to cross the railway tracks to the main road towards a farm nearby,” ACP Bahrin said.
He also said that the area was dark with no lighting on the tracks.
“The front of train that hit the calf was dented on the left side beside other damage that prevented it from moving.
“At around 10.40pm, repairs were carried out and the train then proceeded on its journey and successfully arrived at the destination,” he said.
He added that the dead animal was also removed from the scene for burial.
