Perhilitan monitors injured wild elephant along Gerik’s East-West Highway and guides it back into the forest amid safety concerns
IPOH: The Perak Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) is continuing to monitor an adult male wild elephant that was spotted roaming along Jalan Raya Timur Barat (JRTB), Gerik, since Aug 17, while herding it back into the forest.
It said that the elephant had sustained an injury to its right front leg, but its behaviour remained normal and it was still able to move well.
“From our monitoring, we found that the wound is drying up and it is showing signs of recovery. We have also taken action to guide the elephant back into the forest, while continuing to monitor its movements and condition.
“Since it continues to return to the road area, monitoring and guiding operations will be carried out twice daily, during the day and at night,” it said in a statement posted on its official Facebook page today.
Yesterday, videos went viral on social media showing the elephant, believed to be named Sulong Chalil, walking on the shoulder of the JRTB, with the footage believed to have been recorded by members of the public using the route.
The elephant is said to have originated from Chalil, Gua Musang, before being relocated to the forest area in Gerik in a Perhilitan translocation operation, but it is believed to have moved back towards its original habitat via the route.
Meanwhile, Perak Perhilitan said it has also strengthened the preparedness of its personnel on the ground, as well as obtaining an assessment from a veterinary doctor to determine the elephant’s physical condition and injuries, and the need for follow-up action.
In addition, JRTB users are advised to slow down within a five-kilometre radius before reaching the Titiwangsa Rest and Service Area (R&R) from either direction, so as to prevent any untoward incidents.
Motorists are also urged to comply with instructions from enforcement personnel and Perhilitan officers when in the monitoring area and not to take photographs or videos of the elephant, as doing so could cause vehicles to stop and disrupt traffic flow.
“Motorists who encounter wildlife, including elephants, must remain alert and not stop or get out of their vehicles if the wildlife is on the road shoulder and does not show aggressive behaviour or being subjected to any form of provocation,” it added.
