WHAT was thought to be a late-night knock by someone at a durian orchard gate turned into an encounter with four wild elephants.
The incident left the caretaker of the orchard in Segamat, Johor, fleeing for his life.
Orchard owner Toh Teck Sim said his 35-year-old friend, who helps manage his 1.6ha durian farm in Sungai Bantang, Bekok, was collecting fallen durian at about 12.30am on April 12 when he heard knocking sounds at the gate.
“He called out to ask who was there but got no response, so he lit and threw a firecracker to scare off whoever it was,” Toh, 45, told StarMetro.
The loud bang startled the herd standing on the other side of the gate.
Two adult elephants broke through the fence and charged into the orchard, with two calves trailing behind, added Toh.
“The wild animals proceeded to feast on the durian.
“Things took another turn when a durian fell on one of the calves, causing it to react in pain.
“The adult elephants became agitated and pursued my friend across a small stream.”
Toh said his friend tried to escape uphill but tripped over a tree root.
He later managed to hide behind some bushes.
“Luckily he sustained only minor injuries.”
He added that after the animals had their durian feast, they left the area, damaging another section of fencing along the way.
Toh, who has been farming durian for three decades, said there had previously been wild elephant sightings in the area.
“Sightings have become more frequent in recent years, but this was the first time they had chased someone.”
Toh believes the adult elephants became aggressive when the calves were frightened by the firecracker and fallen durian.
Toh has since repaired the damaged fencing.
In a separate incident nearby, oil palm plantation caretaker Chee Wee Seng, 76, said the plot in Jalan Gunung Bekok had suffered damage in the last few months due to elephant intrusions.
“About 2,000 newly planted oil palm saplings were destroyed, with each costing around RM20.
“We are looking at losses amounting to tens of thousands of ringgit.”
Elephants had entered the plantation three times, with the most recent incident occurring about two weeks ago, he said.
“After replanting twice and seeing the crops destroyed again, we are now afraid to plant any new saplings.”
Bekok assemblyman Tan Chong, who visited the sites, urged smallholders to prioritise their safety when encountering wild elephants.
“They should not attempt to chase the animals away.
“Instead, lodge a police report and inform the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) for appropriate action to be taken,” he said.
Tan added that eligible smallholders cultivating long-term crops on land not exceeding 4ha or short-term crops on plots below 2ha may apply for compensation or aid for crop losses through Perhilitan.
He also said he would liaise with the authorities to step up wildlife monitoring and enforcement in the affected areas.
