Elephants trample logging supervisor to death in Gua Musang

Saidi Jahar was found dead after being attacked twice within hours by elephants at a logging area.

Gua Musang police chief Sik Choon Foo said the wildlife and national parks department is currently working to detect and control elephant movement around the logging area. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

 A logging supervisor in Gua Musang, Kelantan, died on Wednesday after he was trampled to death by elephants.

Gua Musang police chief Sik Choon Foo said two elephant attacks on a logging area in Felda Aring 8 occurred within the span of several hours, resulting in the death of Saidi Jahari, 43.

He said six workers, including the victim, were sleeping in tents at around 10pm when they were woken up by a loud sound and the strong smell of elephants, and realised a herd was approaching.

“All the workers ran into the forest to save themselves, but one of them, a local man, did not manage to escape and was caught by an elephant,” Sinar Harian reported him as saying.

Sik said the workers returned several hours later to find the victim still alive but severely injured, with both his legs broken.

“They brought the victim into the tent for temporary shelter. However, not long after that, an elephant believed to be the head of the herd returned to attack them again.”

Sik said the workers escaped into the forest again, leaving the victim. They returned later after things had calmed down to find him missing from the tent.

“A search found him lying dead on the exit road, with severe injuries believed to be from the elephant trampling him.”

Sik said the victim’s body was sent to Gua Musang Hospital for a post-mortem. The wildlife and national parks department is currently working to detect and control elephant movement around the logging area.

“Investigations are ongoing and the case has been classified as sudden death. The public is advised not to speculate and to respect the privacy of the victim’s family,” he said. - FMT