THE Wildlife and National Parks Department of Peninsular Malaysia (Perhilitan) captured four wild elephants in an operation in Kampung Peralla 1, Tanah Merah, on Wednesday.

Kelantan Perhilitan director Mohamad Hafid Rohani said the department received complaints from residents about a herd of elephants that often wandered into their villages and fed on oil palm leaves.

“Inspections revealed 10 wild elephants often wandered into the rubber smallholdings. As a result, two adult female elephants and two calves were captured (after being shot with) tranquilisers.

“We learnt the wild elephants are from ID Tapis and were living in the Air Satan Forest Reserve and Jedok Forest Reserve,” he said in a statement today.

Hafid said the elephants frequently entered surrounding villages like Kampung Peralla, Air Berdang, Air Kerla, Bukit Pauh, Bukit Durian, Kelisar and Kampung Lepan Bola.

The wild pachyderms destroyed oil palm, coconut, rubber and banana trees worth an estimated RM150,000.

“The four wild elephants will be relocated to their original habitat far away from human settlements. The relocation will be carried out soon by the National Elephant Sanctuary in Lanchang, Pahang,” Hafid said. – Bernama, June 17, 2023.