TANAH MERAH – The Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) captured five female elephants in Kg Kuala Tiga here yesterday.
Kelantan Perhilitan director Ady Ermanty Haniff Mohamed Hanif, in a statement today, said the animals were caught about 4.30pm after they were shot with tranquilliser by a five-member team from Jeli district that was monitoring rubber smallholdings.
The animals had been roaming in the area since November last year.
Ady Ermanty said Perhilitan responded to villagers’ complaints on a herd of elephants encroaching on their smallholdings.
“All the wild elephants are female and part of a herd that lives in the Sokor Taku Forest Reserve near the village.
“The elephants are believed to have come out of the forest reserve in search of food in the village.”
The elephants’ capture brought relief to the residents of Kg Kuala Tiga, Kg Air Kerla, Kg Bukit Capong and Kg Air Resom, he said.
“It will prevent the continuous loss suffered by villagers due to the destruction of their crops.”
He added that the five jumbos will be transported to Taman Negara soon, with the help of the Kuala Gandah National Elephant Conservation Centre in Lanchang, Pahang. – Bernama, January 27, 2021
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