IPOH: Motorists are urged to be extra cautious and avoid stopping by the roadside while travelling on the East-West Highway between Gerik, Perak and Jeli, Kelantan, according to the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan).
Perak Perhilitan director Yusof Shariff highlighted the importance of safety following two recent tiger attacks in the area.
“We advise road users to remain vigilant and refrain from halting their vehicles by the roadside,” Yusof stated when contacted.
“This warning is especially pertinent for the stretch between the Titiwangsa Rest Stop and Jeli.”
On Tuesday (Oct 15), a 54-year-old man in Bersia, Gerik was reportedly killed by a tiger near a worker’s quarters in Bagan Balak at KM79 of the highway.
Subsequently, on Thursday (Oct 17), a Myanmar national was also fatally attacked by a tiger near a chili farm at Batu Melintang, Jeli.
Yusof indicated that Perhilitan suspects both attacks were carried out by the same tiger due to the temporal and geographical proximity of the incidents.
“We are investigating the underlying cause of these attacks,” Yusof explained.
He suggested several factors, including the possibility of an injury to the tiger, might have led the animal to behave atypically.
“We have set traps and our personnel are actively monitoring the area,” he added.
“Our efforts are focused on capturing the tiger using appropriate methods.”
