KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 30 — A logging supervisor was killed in what witnesses have described as a wild elephant attack near a logging camp in Felda Aring 8, Gua Musang, yesterday.
The victim, Saidi Jahari, 43, was found dead on a road leading out of the workers’ quarters with severe injuries, believed to have been trampled by the animal.
Gua Musang district police chief, Supt Sik Choon Foo, said police received a report of the incident at about 8.15am.
“Initial investigations found that six logging workers were asleep inside the quarters when the incident occurred.
“Before the attack, they smelled a strong elephant scent and heard noises outside the quarters before realising that a herd of wild elephants had approached the area.
“All the workers fled into the forest to save themselves.
“However, one of them, a local man, failed to escape and was caught by one of the elephants,” he said in a statement today.
He added that several hours later, the workers returned to the quarters and found the victim still alive but seriously injured, with severe wounds to both legs.
“They brought him into the quarters for temporary shelter, but not long after, an elephant believed to be the leader of the herd returned and attacked again.
“All of them fled into the forest once more, leaving the victim behind.
“When the situation calmed down, they went back and found that he had died.
“His body was later found on the road near the quarters with severe injuries, believed to have been trampled by the elephant,” Supt Sik said.
The victim’s body was sent to Gua Musang Hospital for a post-mortem.
The Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) has been notified and is working to track and contain the elephant herd.
Supt Sik said the case has been classified as a sudden death report (SDR), with no criminal elements detected.
“The police urge the public not to speculate on the matter and to respect the privacy of the victim’s family,” he added.
