Sumatra elephants roaming in and destroying villages

Antara 1 Oct 10;

Tapaktuan, Aceh (ANTARA News)- A herd of seven Sumatra elephants (Elephas maximus sumatrae) were roaming in the residential area of Gampong village, Trumon Timur subdistrict, South Aceh regency.

"It has been several days that the elephants are roaming in the residential area, trampling and destroying crops," Director of the South Aceh Institute of Society
Development Strategy (Insosdes) T Masrizar said in Tapaktuan Thursday.

The protected animals also destroyed other crops like palm oil, banana and second crops.

The elephants also caused fear to the villagers especially in the night, during most of the time they stayed indoor.

"The disruption by the wild elephants at the foot of Mt Leuser had caused great concern and fear to the villagers, and the relevant government authorities were called on to handle the situation," Masrizar said.

Many of the villagers had tried to chase the big animals away by throwing fire balls on them, and making loud sounds, but the big animals stayed put and appeared to be reluctant to move.

"It appeared that the villagers had come to their wit`s end, and did not know what to do while the big animals continued destroying their crops, he added.

He said besides the subdistrict of Trumon Timur, some other subdistricts like Bakongan Timur and Kluet had also become victim of the giant animals.