South Aceh villager trampled by elephants

Antara 30 Jul 10;

Tapaktuan, Aceh Province (ANTARA News) - Salehuddin (30), a resident of Gampong Koto, Central Kluet sub district, South Aceh District, Aceh, was trampled to death by a herd of elephants, Friday.

The victim was a farmer who was guarding his garden at Alue Keujereun village, around 50 km east of Tapaktuan, South Aceh, when he was attacked by sumatran elephants (Elephas maximus sumatranus), Muhammad Hasbi, Central Kluet Sub district head, said.

Last July 15, in Bengkalis district, a senior citizen aged 63 years old, Marsini, was found dead Riau province, after being attacked by wild elephants.

"According to information we`ve received, Marsini was attacked by more than one elephant," chief of Riau province`s Conservation and Natural Resources Board, Trisnu Danisworo, said recently.

The tragic accident happened when Marsini who was walking around a palm oil plantation near her house met a group of wild elephants which were crossing the area.

"That location is actually part of wild elephant`s habitat. There are 40 elephants there. But now their habitat is damaged due to the shifting function of the area into palm oil plantation," he said.

Wild elephants attacking local people often happens in Bengkalis district during this year.

Last June, a herd of wild elephants attacked Petani village, Mandau sub-district, Riau district of Bengkalis, damaging four houses over the weekend.