GUA MUSANG – More than 300 Orang Asli folk in Kg Aring 5 here fear for their safety after a herd of five elephants roamed into their residential area last week.
The elephants have destroyed hundreds of rubber trees in a plantation near the village, which has affected the livelihood of villagers.
Resident Zul Hek, 43, said there has been three such incidents in this month alone.
“The herd of wild elephants will roam near the village between 1am and 5am, so we have to be alert at night for fear our houses will be trampled by the animals.
“So far, no houses have been destroyed, only crops, including banana and rubber trees, have been trampled and eaten by the elephants,” he told reporters today.
Another villager, Rahmat Yahya, 32, said if this threat is not resolved quickly, villagers will incur huge losses as many rubber trees will be destroyed.
“The rubber trees are part of a plantation project of the Orang Asli Development Department to provide a source of income for the Orang Asli community.
“Most of the villagers were shocked when they went to the plantation at 8am today and found rubber trees scattered and destroyed by the wild elephants.
“If the elephants are still hiding in the forest nearby, we are worried they will come out at night to forage,” he said. – Bernama, December 25, 2020
