Chukai: The Terengganu Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) is actively tracking a herd of wild elephants that were involved in a collision with a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) at KM274.6 of the East Coast Expressway 2 (LPT2), near the Cheneh Toll Plaza interchange, last night.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the state Perhilitan director, Dennis Ten Choon Yung, stated that drones are being employed to monitor the location and movements of the elephants near the accident site. The animals are believed to have emerged from the Bukit Bandi Forest Reserve, which is approximately eight kilometers from where the collision occurred.

Dennis reported that six Perhilitan personnel have been dispatched to the site since 12.30 am today to conduct monitoring and control operations, focusing on the Cheneh area. The primary goal of the operation is to ascertain the herd's location and movements while also ensuring the safety of highway users.

He emphasized that Perhilitan is prepared to take necessary actions if the elephants remain near the highway. Motorists are advised to remain calm if they encounter wild elephants and to refrain from approaching or provoking the animals. It is crucial not to sound horns, use high beams, or flash headlights at the elephants, as these actions could cause the animals to feel threatened or behave aggressively.

Dennis further advised motorists to allow the elephants enough space to cross safely and to maintain a safe distance to prevent any untoward incidents. In a related report, BERNAMA noted that a husband and wife were injured when their MPV collided with the herd at 10.20 pm last night. Kemaman police chief Supt Mohd Razi Rosli confirmed that Abdul Wahid Ismail, 55, sustained minor injuries to his left hand, while his wife, Fauziah Muda, 52, injured her right hand.