A PREGNANT woman and her unborn child have been crushed to death by a herd of elephants in Indonesia.
Karsini, 33, was with her husband Rasum tapping rubber trees in South Sumatra, when a herd of about fifteen jumbos wandered onto their plantation.
The mum-of-three, who was five months into her pregnancy, made a frantic attempt to frighten off the beasts, which may weigh up to 4,000 kg, by pounding empty jerrycans together like cymbals.
But the elephants – probably terrified or angry due to the banging – charged at the couple and viciously trampled Karsini and her unborn baby to death.
Locals at the Musi Rawas Regency retrieved Karsini’s body from the jungle after the herd moved away on Sunday.
Muara Lakitan Police Chief, AKP M Abdul Karim, said: “It is known that the victim was five months pregnant.
“She suffered severe wounds on her stomach and waist, and her womb had shifted to the left.
“Her husband managed to save himself.”
He mentioned that herds of up to 100 wild elephants were known to visit the area and that investigators from the Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) were on the scene.
Rather of trying to scare away wandering elephants, the police head advised the locals to avoid them.
He said: “Don’t disturb them, don’t try to chase them away.
“They are only looking for food. If you see an elephant, immediately move away.”
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