Kelantan Perhilitan captures male elephant in Jeli

JELI: The Kelantan Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) has captured a male elephant in Kampung Salor, here last Friday (Jan 7).

Its director Mohamad Hafid Rohani said the elephant was captured by the Elephant Capture Unit (UTG) following several complaints received by the department since August last year.

He said the disturbance of wild elephants occurred around Kampung Salor, Kampung Batu Melintang, Kampung Jerek, Kampung Lawar and Kampung Pendok.

"This relocation operation is a follow-up measure to prevent more losses to the locals and ensure the safety of the wild elephants from being threatened by poachers.

The male elephant, believed to be a part of the Gunung Basor elephant herd with an estimated population of more than 30 and was suspected to have come out of the Gunung Basor Permanent Forest Reserve in search of food sources, he said in a statement on Monday (Jan 10).

Mohamad Hafid said the wild elephant relocation process to the Taman Negara would be carried out on Monday, in collaboration with the Kuala Gandah Elephant Conservation Centre (PKGK), Lanchang Pahang.

He added that the department had implemented several steps such as providing advice to the locals, monitoring and control in conflict areas and driving the wild elephants back to the nearby forest reserve.

Operations to capture wild elephants were not a long-term solution, especially in orchards or smallholdings close to forest reserves, he said.

"Elephant electric fencing system (SPEG) is one of the most effective mitigation methods to prevent wild elephants from entering crop areas.

"Villagers are also advised to always clean the crop areas and gardens to reduce the risk of human-wildlife conflict in the area," he said. - Bernama