A black panther believed to have attacked an Orang Asli youth was shot dead by personnel of the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN) of Perak in an operation this morning.
The black panther was tracked by PERHILITAN following an incident which caused the youth to sustain serious injuries.
PERHILITAN Perak in a statement informed that prior to this, the department had received a complaint from the Department of Orang Asli Development (JAKOA) and Lintang Police Station regarding the attack at 8.30pm yesterday.
According to the statement, in the incident, an Orang Asli youth was seriously injured from being attacked by a black panther at the area of Kampung Orang Asli Kelatap, Pos Perwor, Sungai Siput (U).
The victim is currently being treated at Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun Ipoh.
“Following that, four personnel of PERHILITAN Sungai Siput (U) District have conducted investigations and monitoring at the site of complaint at 9.30am.
“They have met with the Tok Batin of the village, Yusof Alang. The Tok Batin informed that the incident occurred when the victim was looking for wood to build a house toilet at the rubber tree orchard behind the house.
“The victim came across the wildlife and was attacked,” the statement mentioned.
A scuffle occurred and the black panther subsequently pounced on the victim’s head and body. However, the victim managed to slash the wildlife with a parang (machete) in self-defense.
The victim had screamed for help and upon the arrival of the villagers, the black panther had escaped.
According to the statement, during the tracking at 12.20pm, one of the PERHILITAN personnel who was following the trail was suddenly attacked by the black panther which appeared from a nearby rubber tree orchard.
“In self-defence, the personnel fired three shots.
“Inspection on the wildlife’s carcass found seven slashes on its left thigh and a strand of wire caught on its hind leg on the right.
“The carcass has been brought to the PERHILITAN Sungai Siput (U) District Office,” the statement added.
Rosli Mansor
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