Stray elephant safely driven out of Kluang Prison compound

KLUANG: An unannounced visitor showed up in the compound of Kluang Prison here on Monday (Dec 19) night, in the form of a stray adult elephant.

Johor Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) director Aminuddin Jamin said three of its personnel were sent to the location at about 10pm after a call came in from the prison authorities.

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He said the adult elephant, believed to be from a herd of 15 known as the Tenang group, may have wandered away from the others and was trying to find its way back.

He added that his men fired several shots into the air to chase the elephant out of the prison area.

“We then helped the large mammal find its way to Gunung Lambak forest,” he said here on Wednesday (Dec 21), adding that Perhilitan would continue to monitor the area and ensure it was safe for people.

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This was the first time an elephant had strayed into a prison compound in Johor, he added.

Meanwhile, in an unrelated case, Aminuddin said the department was also investigating online claims that a tiger had mauled a cow in Mersing.

“Perhilitan is investigating and monitoring following reports of a tiger presence in Mersing.

“We have set up several camera traps in the location to find out whether it is really a tiger or some other predator,” he said.