JERTIH: An elephant, which has been roaming around Kampung Keruak here for days, has been captured.
Terengganu Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) director Dennis Ten Choon Yung said its officers had been tracking the elephant since last Thursday following a report that it posed a threat to the local community.
It was captured in Kampung Pasir Akar, Hulu Besut, some 22km away, at 9am yesterday.
“The elephant, which has a footprint size of 40.6cm, is in stable and healthy condition,” Ten told Bernama, adding that its officers were monitoring the elephant closely before relocating it.
Meanwhile, villagers expressed relief at the capture, saying that it had damaged crops and raised safety concerns.
Kampung Pasir Akar resident Zainudin Yusof, 59, said the elephant entered his home compound through the main gate before leaving through the back gate on Sunday night.
“About 11pm, I found my back gate broken after being rammed by the elephant.
“I feel relieved now that Perhilitan has captured it,” he said, adding that his house is located not far from where the elephant was captured.
