Malaysia: Straying wild jumbo caught

The Star 2 May 14;

KLUANG: A wild elephant that wandered into two villages here has been captured and relocated to the Endau Rompin National Park.

State Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) director Hasnan Yusop said the relocation was done with the help of officials from the Kuala Gandah National Elephant Conservation Centre in Pahang.

The animal, had earlier, roamed into Kampung Ilham and Kampung Sindora here.

“We received complaints from residents about the elephant encroaching into their villages and plantations.

“We then sent seven officials to capture the wild elephant on April 22,” he said.

He added that the elephant could have wandered into the village area from the Hutan Simpan Lenggor.

“The elephant has since been relocated to Endau Rompin,” he said.

Hasnan said that previously, the department had also captured two other wild elephants in the same area in February and November last year.

“Anyone with information pertaining to wild elephant threats or any other concerns relating to wild animals are urged to contact us,” he said.

He said the state Perhilitan’s role was to ensure minimal conflict between humans and wild animals and appreciated any kind of information pertaining to the matter.