A pregnant woman has been trampled to death by a herd of wild elephants on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, police said today , reported DPA, quoted by BTA.
The woman, identified as Karsini, was trying to protect her family's rubber plantation from elephants in South Sumatra's Muara Lakitan district when they attacked her on Sunday, local police chief Muhammad Karim said.
"The victim tried to scare the herd by banging two jerry cans to create a loud noise, but instead of retreating, the elephants attacked her, resulting in her death,” Karim said.
The incident took place in an area known for its large population of wild elephants, which often roam in herds of up to 100 animals.
Local authorities said human-elephant clashes are becoming more common, with elephants damaging crops and homes being reported every few months.
"Deaths are rare. This is the worst case we have seen,” says Karim, urging residents to avoid encountering elephants if they encounter them.
After the incident, a team from the government-run Natural Resources Conservation Agency was dispatched to the scene to investigate.