Elephant wandering into Malaysian village caught

New Straits Times 6 Jul 10;

PASIR MAS: A wild elephant which wandered into Repek, a village about 3km from here, caused much excitement among the villagers yesterday.

The bull elephant was finally captured in an orchard by state wildlife officers, who shot it with a tranquilliser dart about 11am.

Villager Ramlan Awang Kecik, 48, said his son Raizudin, 20, was awakened by loud noises close to their house about 4.15am.

"He went out to see what was going on and was shocked to see an elephant.

"We informed the village security team and they surrounded the elephant from a distance to ensure it could not escape.

"We then called the police and officers from the Wildlife Department arrived about 7am. By then, the elephant had moved into the orchard."


State Wildlife Department director Pazil Abdul Fatah said the elephant was believed to have wandered into the village from the Jedok forest reserve in Tanah Merah, about 30km away.

"We believe the elephant wandered into the area due to the fruits that are in season now. We have reports of it being sighted in Kemahang three days ago and later at Banggol Petai.

"It is good that nobody was injured. According to village elders, no elephant has been sighted in the area for more than 50 years," said Pazil.


He said 20 officers from Kota Baru, Jeli, Kuala Krai and Gua Musang were deployed to the scene.

"A team from the Kuala Gandah conservation centre in Pahang will arrive soon to secure the elephant. It is expected to be released into Taman Negara," he said.

Pazil said it was the fourth elephant captured this year. Two others were caught in Gua Musang and another in Jeli.