MERSING: A female elephant was killed after it was struck by a vehicle in an accident at Batu Tujuh, Jalan Kota Tinggi-Mersing here, last night.
Johor Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) director Salman Saaban, said they received a call at 12.15am and a team was sent to the location, where they found the dead elephant.
"According to a witness, the incident took place at about 11am when a four-wheel drive vehicle heading towards Mersing from Kota Tinggi struck the female elephant.
"Other vehicles including a trailer lorry could not avoid the fallen pachyderm on the road. The elephant was killed on the spot."
Salman said drivers and passengers involved in the accident sustained light injuries.
He added that the department had collected morphological data on the elephant carcass before it was buried.
"The elephant was part of the Panti Elephant Group estimated to number between 30 to 40 pachyderms. Jalan Kota Tinggi-Mersing is a hotspot for elephant crossings, especially between the 4th and 14th Mile.
"A total of about 20 wildlife crossing warning signs have been installed along the road to warn road users to be careful when passing through the area especially in the evening or early morning," he said.