RESIDENTS of Felda Chalok Rahmat are living in fear after signs of a wild elephant were discovered near their homes, raising concerns that the animal may have strayed out of its forest habitat.
The presence of the elephant was detected after residents found its footprints on a newly filled road near the village, prompting a complaint to the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN).
Seri Rahmat Village Development and Security Committee (JPKK) chairman Nordin Jusoh said the incident was the second of its kind in the area, with residents suspecting that the elephant had wandered into the settlement after straying from the nearby forest.
"We have lodged a complaint with PERHILITAN and hope immediate action can be taken to address the problem," Harian Metro quoted him saying at Felda Chalok Kampung Rahmat yesterday afternoon.
The sighting has heightened anxiety among residents, particularly after one villager reported encountering the wild elephant near his home.
Khairuddin Mohamad, 42, said he realised the animal was in the area when he returned from work at about 5.30pm the previous day.
He said he was shocked to discover a wild elephant near his house, but chose not to approach or drive it away for fear of provoking the animal.
"I have lived in this village for about 11 years, and this is the first time such an incident has occurred near my house.
"I only watched it from inside my house and did not try to chase away or provoke the elephant because I was worried that something undesirable might happen," he said.
The encounter has also forced Khairuddin to restrict his children's outdoor activities amid fears that the elephant could still be roaming nearby.
"Since the incident, I have not allowed my children to play outside because I am afraid the elephant may still be in the surrounding area," he said.
He added that the elephant had damaged coconut trees and cassava crops near the fence of his house.
Meanwhile, Terengganu PERHILITAN director Dennis Ten Choon Yung said an investigation was launched after the department received a report, with a team deployed to the location to take the necessary action. - August 20, 2026
