Wildlife officer slashed by gaharu wood thief in National Park

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Mohd Khairul (on stretcher) taken out of the park to Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Hospital in Temerloh for treatment in a helicopter. — Bernama photo

Mohd Khairul (on stretcher) taken out of the park to Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Hospital in Temerloh for treatment in a helicopter. — Bernama photo

KUANTAN: An officer of the Wildlife and National Parks Department (PERHILITAN) was injured when he was attacked by a foreigner believed to be

looking for gaharu wood in the National Park in Jerantut yesterday.

Jerantut police chief Supt Azid Ismail said the victim, Mohd Khairul Azuan A Aziz, 29, was slashed in the face and right hand while doing inspection in Ulu Sungai Roak, Hulu Tembeling, at 9.30pm last night.

Mohd Khairul Azuan who was from Felda Jerangau, Ajil, Terengganu was at that time participating in a patrol team comprising six soldiers and three Wildlife officers.

“The victim and the patroling team stumbled upon six men believed to be foreigners wearing head lamps in the jungle who fled after noticing the presence of patrol team.

“The victim then went to their hideout and when he was lighting up a lamp, he saw a man dashing towards him.

“He was shocked to see a man wielding a machete at him before running away,” he said when contacted here yesterday.

Azid said the victim who sustained cuts on the hand and mouth was taken out of the park to Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Hospital in Temerloh for treatment in a helicopter at noon yesterday. — Bernama