Malaysia: Stray elephant relocated

The Star 6 Aug 11;

BESUT: Game rangers used two decoy elephants to relocate one of two wild bull elephants found straying near rubber smallholdings in Hulu Besut after they got separated from a herd a month ago.

“Che Mek” and “Kala”, from the Kuala Gandah elephant unit in Lanchang, Pahang, were used to coax the seven-year-old 1.5-tonne pachyderm from Sungai Tenang where it was caught for relocation at the elephant sanctuary in Sungai Kemia, Hulu Terengganu.

It took the game rangers, led by Mohd Affendi Ibrahim, head of the conservation division of the Terengganu Department of Wildlife and National Parks, more than two hours to complete the task.

Mohd Affendi said the other wild elephant, believed to be 15 years old, were also relocated.

The presence of the two wild elephants had kept rubber tappers away fron their smallholdings for fear of their safety. - Bernama