Wildlife conflict: The adult elephant being restrained after attacking the lorry at the scene of the accident. — Photo courtesy of Perhilitan
IPOH: A male elephant calf was killed after it was struck by a lorry along KM80 of the Gerik-Jeli stretch of the East-West Highway.
An adult elephant, believed to be the mother, then “attacked” the lorry, damaging the front of the vehicle, in its attempt to free the calf pinned by the vehicle.
Gerik OCPD Supt Zulkifli Mahmood said the incident occur-red at about 2.50am yesterday while the 28-year-old lorry driver was travelling from Gerik to Jeli.
“Initial investigation revealed that the lorry, which was transporting chickens, was heading towards Jeli when the driver noticed a large elephant grazing on the right shoulder of the road.
“Believing it was safe to proceed, the driver continued driving. However, moments later, a baby elephant suddenly emerged from the forest on the left side of the road and attempted to cross.
“Due to the close distance, the driver was unable to stop in time, resulting in a fatal collision. The calf died at the scene,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Supt Zulkifli said shortly after the collision, a larger elephant became agitated and charged at the lorry, adding that the driver was unharmed.
“The police contacted the Perak Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) and officers managed to sedate the elephant to bring the situation under control,” he said.
Supt Zulkifli reminded motorists to be cautious when travelling along the East-West Highway, particularly in forested areas where wild animals are known to roam and cross roads.
Perhilitan director Yusoff Shariff said the mother elephant was later moved into the forest.
