Malaysia: ‘Provoked elephants will charge at you’

T.N. ALAGESH New Straits Times 1 Aug 14;

KUANTAN: VILLAGERS and logging workers were reminded not to confront wild elephants as it will increase their aggression, prompting them to charge and attack.

Instead, they should escape and lodge a report to the Pahang Wildlife and National Park Department (Perhilitan) to allow rangers to drive the elephants out of human settlements or capture them for relocation.

State Perhilitan director Khairiah Mohd Sharif said farmers had attempted in previous cases to scare elephants from destroying their crops by throwing stones, firing crackers or shooting into the air, but such moves could prove costly.

“The animals might feel threatened or provoked, prompting them to charge at humans in self defence. These could lead to serious injuries or deaths.

“One must realise that elephants have long memories and those that are wounded by humans can become more aggressive towards humans in the future.

“Sometimes, adult elephants attack people, fearing their offspring was under threat.”

Khairiah was commenting on the incident on Monday where two timber company workers in Kampung Bukit Harimau, Jerantut, were nearly trampled by a herd of wild elephants after one of them had used a chainsaw to frighten the mammals.

The 4am incident happened when one of the workers spotted the elephants destroying tapioca and banana trees planted near the kitchen section of the workers quarters.

A 56-year-old worker, Lee Kam Foo, alerted security guard Simak Lambak, 43, who fetched a chainsaw and attempted to frighten them off with the roaring sound.

However, his action caused the elephants to react more violently by flinging drums of diesel and tyres, which almost flattened the quarters.

In February, a wild elephant attacked a family on a motorcycle, killing a boy, 4, in Jeli, Kelantan.