JOHOR BARU – A female elephant has been found dead believed to have been hit by vehicles while crossing the road at Batu 7, Jalan Kota Tinggi-Mersing, near Kota Tinggi, yesterday.
Johor Wildlife and National Parks Department director Salman Saaban said a team from the department was sent to the scene early today after receiving a report on the presence of the carcass at about 12.15am.
“According to witnesses, the incident occurred at about 11pm yesterday when the elephant was hit by a four-wheel drive heading towards Mersing and several other vehicles, including a trailer, which could not stop in time before hitting the mammal, which was lying on the road.”
Salman said drivers of two vehicles have minor injuries following the incident.
He added that the department has recorded morphological data on the pachyderm, believed to be part of a herd of between 30 and 40 elephants identified as ID Panti, before burying it near the area.
The stretch between Batu 4 and Batu 14 of Jalan Kota Tinggi-Mersing is a hotspot for elephant crossing. – Bernama, March 19, 2021
