GUA MUSANG: The Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) successfully relocated a male elephant believed to have frequently encroached into orchards and residential areas around Kampung Pulau Setelu here.
Kelantan Perhilitan director Wan Mohd Adib Wan Yusoh said the tusked male elephant is estimated to be between 15 and 18 years old.
He said the operation on Sunday (Aug 2) involved 19 personnel, including those from the National Elephant Conservation Centre in Sungai Deka, Terengganu, and Kuala Gandah, Pahang.
"The elephant, named 'Awang Tar Setelu', was captured on July 23 and was successfully coaxed out on Sunday with the assistance of two female decoy elephants, Suria and Indah.
"The operation began at 9am and concluded four hours later. The elephant will be released into its natural habitat,” he said when contacted.
Kampung Pulau Setelu resident Zakaria Omar, 62, said they have been facing the threat of wild elephants for the past several years and have suffered losses to crops, including oil palm, bananas and Musang King durians.
Mukim Bertam Barat federal village development and security committee chairman Mokhtar Dahari Ibrahim said the capture of the wild elephant has brought relief to more than 1,000 residents. — Bernama
