Wild elephant capture operation launched after fatal incident in Johor

JOHOR BARU: An operation to capture wild elephants is currently underway following a recent wildlife-human conflict that resulted in a man’s death and serious injury to another, says state health and environment committee chairman Ling Tian Soon.

The operation, conducted by the Mersing Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan), aims to ensure the safety of residents.

“Since the incident, Perhilitan has deployed a drone to confirm that the male elephant has vacated the area,” he said in a statement on Friday (Sept 27).

Ling urged the public to maintain a safe distance from wildlife and to remain vigilant, reporting any dangerous wildlife encounters to the authorities immediately. “The safety of communities and wildlife is a shared priority,” he added, noting that Perhilitan was at the scene about one hour after the incident, which occurred at 11am on Thursday (Sept 26).

According to Mersing Deputy OCPD, DSP Sharif Shai Sharif Mondoi, the incident involved a contract worker who was killed and another who was injured by a wild elephant near a school in Felda Tenggaroh 5.

The two workers were cleaning the school when they spotted the elephant. “They attempted to chase the elephant away but it attacked them instead,” Sharif said. The deceased worker suffered severe injuries to his neck and chest and died on the way to the hospital, while the other sustained head injuries, internal bleeding and multiple fractures and was transported to Sultan Ismail Hospital.

The body of the deceased was taken to Mersing Hospital and the police have classified the case as sudden death.

Videos and images of the injured workers have circulated widely on social media, drawing public attention to the incident.