Wild cow elephant dies after collision with lorry

JOHOR BAHRU: A wild cow elephant died after it was hit by a lorry at Batu 13 Jalan MersingKota Tinggi, near the Panti Forest Reserve near Kota Tinggi early yesterday.

Director of the Johor Department of Wildlife Jamalun Nasir Ibrahim said the department was informed of the incident which occurred at about 2 am by the lorry driver.

He said from early information obtained of the incident, it was believed to have occurred after the lorry driver who was travelling from Kota Tinggi to Mersing suddenly switched on the high beam headlights when he came across a herd of four elephants crossing the road from the direction of an estate near the forest reserve.

“One of the elephants was startled and turned back towards the estate and was hit by a lorry which was travelling from Terengganu to Singapore.

“Following the collision, the elephant which was less than 10 years old, died at the scene due to serious injuries to the head,” Jamalun Nasir said when contacted yesterday.

He said the department had moved the carcass of the elephant from the scene and buried.

He advised all drivers not to provoke animals in the area by honking and turning on the high beam lights in order not to startle or provoke them.

Meanwhile, Kota Tinggi District Police Chief Supt Ahsmon Bajah, when contacted, confirmed receiving a report of the incident and said the lorry driver did not suffer any injuries. — Bernama