Malaysia: Hunt for rogue elephant launched

New Straits Times 27 Feb 11;

KOTA BARU: The state Wildlife Department believes that the elephant which attacked an estate worker in Dabong early this year is still roaming in a nearby jungle.

Its director, Rahmat Topani said rangers in Jeli had been directed to track down the elephant, which was believed to be in a herd of four, including a calf.

"A six-men team led by Jeli wildlife chief Cosmas Ngau started the operation on Feb 19, but until today, they have yet to locate the elephants.

"But we believe the animals are still in the forest and we will capture them soon."

He said the rangers were on a 24-hour standby to carry out the "Ops Tangkap-Pindah Gajah" operation.

"We are afraid that if the elephants are not captured as soon as possible, they will destroy plants belonging to villagers in Kampung Biak, which is about five kilometres from the jungle."

Rahmat added that three elephants had been captured by the department this year -- two in Gua Musang and another in Kuala Krai.

On Jan 24, an estate worker Bernardus Ngongo Naru was injured after he was attacked by an elephant while working in Dabong. The 24-year-old Indonesian, who suffered injuries on his chest, was sent to Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital where he was warded for almost a week.