TAIPING: The Taiping Museum is set to enrich its collection with the addition of a 130-year-old elephant skull, an artefact from a notable 1894 collision incident involving a train in Teluk Anson,now known as Teluk Intan, Ipoh Echo reported.
This historical specimen, along with a railway carriage involved in the incident, is currently under consideration by the National Museum Department to be recognised as part of the national heritage collection.
National Museum Department deputy director Mohd Razaimi Hamat said the department had submitted a request last year for these items to be promoted as national heritage objects.
"We expect the decision on this matter to be known by the end of this year.
"These artefacts are not only of high historical value but they also reflect the rich heritage of Perak. We are fortunate to have them preserved in perfect condition at the Perak Museum and are hopeful that our efforts to recognize them as national heritage objects will be successful," he said.
The recognition of these items as national heritage objects would ensure additional funding and resources for their ongoing preservation, safeguarding these important pieces of history for future generations.
The announcement came during the opening ceremony of the Zoology and Taxidermy Art Exhibition at the Perak Museum.
The 1894 incident saw the train, bound from Ipoh to Kuala Lumpur and operated by a British citizen, derailed after being charged by the elephant, which was accompanied by a herd. The elephant used its tusks to ram the train head-on, causing significant damage and bringing the vehicle to a halt.
This upcoming exhibit promises to offer visitors a unique glimpse into the past, combining the realms of history, wildlife conservation, and railway heritage, and underscoring the intertwined narratives of humans and nature.