In a terrifying incident, an 8-year-old girl died after being trampled by a wild elephant. The animal crushed the child to death in Indonesia's West Rumbai district.
On October 31, 8-year-old Citra had been with her family at their home. That's when her father, Sardo Purba, heard a herd of elephants approaching. According to the Jakarta Post, the family attempted to flee their home. They were fearful the herd would tear down the house with the family inside. However, while trying to flee, Citra ended up in the path of an oncoming elephant.
"One of them was very aggressive," Sardo told the Jakarta Globe. "We ran to the cornfield, but it chased us. My second child was caught and trampled."
The elephant crushed her skull and broke several bones. After spending several days in a coma, Citra passed away from her injuries.
"I visited her family to pay my respects," West Rumbai Police Chief Said Khairul Iman told Jakarta Post. "We are working to guide the elephants back to their habitat so they no longer endanger local residents."
Elephant Kills Girl
The Riau Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) warns about wild elephant attacks in the region.
"We have coordinated with the police and local authorities to ensure the situation remains under control. We urge residents not to act aggressively or provocatively toward the wild elephants. While we understand the fear and shock among the community, aggressive actions could worsen the situation," the agency said.
"Our team is closely monitoring the elephants' movements to ensure the herd returns safely to its natural habitat. We have also advised residents to report any elephant sightings immediately to the BKSDA or local authorities," they concluded.
Meanwhile, the Rimba Satwa Foundation believes an increase in elephant attacks is due to habitat destruction.
"These kinds of incidents stem from the trauma that elephants have faced in Riau for decades as a result of human intervention, including being driven away from villages, caught in traps and scared away by fireworks," the organization's director, Zulhusni Kyukri, told the South China Morning Post. "This trauma has caused a change in elephant behavior and made them more aggressive."
