TANGKAK: The Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) aims to develop new methods to reduce human-wildlife conflicts, which are becoming increasingly frequent.
Deputy Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh said the ministry took the matter seriously as it has become a major challenge to ensure that wild animals, particularly elephants, do not continue to encroach on or come into conflict with humans.
He said the ministry and Perhilitan continuously monitor every conflict that occurs, adding that it is not that they do not take action.
“We do not want to disturb the wild animals, including elephants, so that they can remain in their natural habitats.
“It is just that the challenge now is they (the wild animals) have to contend with changes brought about by the opening of new land for settlements, agriculture and development.
“For now, the ministry and Perhilitan, together with several other parties, are studying and formulating new solutions to reduce the occurrence of such incidents,” he said after opening the student excellence and motivation programme at TvetMara Ledang here yesterday, Bernama reported.
He was commenting on a video clip that had gone viral depicting an adult male wild elephant, named Sulong Chalil, which walked hundreds of kilometres with an injured leg to return to its natural habitat in Gua Musang, Kelantan, after being relocated to a new forested area in Gerik, Perak, last month.
Syed Ibrahim said although it might seem like they were letting the mammal roam freely, continuous monitoring was being carried out because elephants have unique behavioural characteristics and cannot be forced or made to feel confined.
“That is why we let it roam while keeping it under surveillance but we will ensure it returns safely to its natural habitat.”
Syed Ibrahim, who is also the Ledang MP, said the motivation programme would help strengthen human capital development by emphasising excellence, character-building, national identity and patriotism among the younger generation.
“It is especially appropriate that the programme, a strategic collaboration between the Performance Acceleration Coordination Unit under the Prime Minister’s Department and Akademi Kenegaraan Malaysia, is held during the National Month.
“It can help produce responsible individuals, thus safeguarding the harmony of the country,” he added.
