IPOH: An elephant calf died after it was hit by a lorry on KM80 of the Gerik-Jeli stretch of the East-West Highway on Sunday (May 11), causing its mother to go on a rampage and damaging the front part of the vehicle.
Gerik OCPD Supt Zulkifli Mahmood said the 28-year-old lorry driver was travelling from Gerik heading towards Jeli at about 2.50am today, when the incident happened.
He said initial investigations revealed that the driver of the lorry, which was transporting chickens, noticed a large elephant on the right shoulder of the road.
“The driver said the animal was seen grazing, so he continued driving when he saw that the situation was safe.
“However, moments later, a baby elephant suddenly emerged from the forest on the left side and attempted to cross the road.
“The short distance made it impossible for the driver to stop in time, resulting in a fatal collision. The baby elephant died at the scene,” he said in a statement today.
Supt Zulkifli said shortly after that the larger elephant, believed to be the mother of the calf, became agitated and damaged the front of the lorry in a fit of rage.
He said the lorry driver did not sustain any injuries.
“The police contacted the Perak Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan), and officers managed to sedate the elephant to bring the situation under control.
“Motorists are advised to be extra cautious when driving along the East-West Highway, especially in forested areas where wild animals are known to roam and cross roads,” he said.
