Rampaging elephant and calf caught in Malaysia

The Star 10 Feb 10;

IPOH: A female elephant that had been on a rampage near Grik was finally captured by the Perak Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan).

Department director Shabrina Shariff said the elephant was part of a herd of 15 to 20 elephants that had destroyed crops of villagers around Kampung Chepor in Lenggong, near Gerik.

Also captured during the operation that began on Sunday was the elephant’s male calf.

The elephants, she added, were believed to be from the Piah Forest Reserve near the village.

Officers were dispatched on Sunday following complaints of wild elephants being sighted.

Relating the department’s operation, Shabrina said her officers managed to tranquilise the female elephant at 12.30pm yesterday and had it chained.

“The calf was found loitering around the female elephant,” she said, adding that her officers managed to tranquilise it at 10.45am.

“The two elephants will be relocated to the Piah Forest Reserve soon with help from the Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary officials,” she added.