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Officer killed when treating an elephant

PENAMPANG: An officer at the Wildlife Park, Lok Kawi here died after he was attacked by a pygmy elephant.

    In the incident at 8.30am, the victim was giving treatment to an injured baby elephant.

    It is understood that the 49-year-old man, who was seriously injured in the chest and abdomen, was pronounced dead at the scene of the incident.

 Penampang district police chief, Deputy Superintendent Mohd Haris Ibrahim said, preliminary investigation showed the victim was carrying out his routine task of feeding and cleaning the elephant.

   "Suddenly, an adult elephant attacked the victim while treating an injured baby elephant.

   "As a result of the attack, the victim was seriously injured in the chest and abdomen and was confirmed dead at the scene by a health official," he said when contacted today.

   Mohd Haris said the victim's body was taken to the Forensic Medicine Department of Queen Elizabeth Hospital for further action.

    "The investigation is still ongoing and the case is classified as a sudden death report," he said.

   State Tourism, Culture and Environment minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said he was still waiting for a full report from the relevant department regarding the incident.

    Meanwhile, Sabah Wildlife Department (JHL) Director Augustine Tuuga said the incident is still under investigation by the police.

   "I cannot make any statement regarding the incident at this time," he said.

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