Elephant Attacks Vehicle on JRTB: PERHILITAN Denies Link to Previous Elephant Calf Death

Elephant Attacks Vehicle on JRTB: PERHILITAN Denies Link to Previous Elephant Calf Death

The Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN) has denied claims that the incident where three elephants attacked a vehicle on the Gerik-Jeli East-West Highway (JRTB) last night is linked to the death of an elephant calf hit by a lorry two weeks ago.

According to Perak PERHILITAN Director, Yusoff Shariff, both incidents occurred at different locations, despite being on the same route.

“This latest incident occurred at Batu 11 near the JRTB Gerik-Jeli Memorial, while the elephant calf death occurred near the border entrance to Jeli, Kelantan,” he explained when contacted.

A check via mapping applications shows the distance between the two locations is approximately 50 kilometers (km).

Previously, the media reported that PERHILITAN confirmed an incident where three elephants went on a rampage, damaging a public vehicle near Sungai Lebey, not far from the JRTB Gerik-Jeli Memorial.

On May 11, heartbreaking footage went viral showing a female elephant seemingly ‘mourning’ her calf, which was killed after being hit by a chicken-laden lorry on the same route. The five-year-old male elephant calf, weighing 700 kilograms, died at the scene.

Preventive Measures Intensified

Yusoff stated that PERHILITAN, together with the Public Works Department (JKR), has installed solar lights at 16 locations along the Gerik-Jeli JRTB to reduce the risk of collisions between vehicles and wildlife, especially elephants that often roam at night.

“We will be adding more solar lights at several other locations this year,” he said.

This proactive measure is expected to prevent untoward incidents in the future, while ensuring the safety of both road users and wildlife.