JELI: The Kelantan Wildlife Department has captured an elephant believed to have destroyed crops belonging to farmers in several villages here since last month.
The female elephant, aged between 15 and 20 years old, was captured by the department's team in Kampung Ipoh at 5pm on Monday.
"The team went to the area after receiving information about eight elephants which had encroached into several villages and destroyed the plants there.
"The villages are Kampung Bukit Ipoh, Belimbing, Dendong and Kampung Air Berching," he said in a statement today.
Ady Ermanty said losses suffered by the affected villagers were estimated about RM63,000 this year.
He believed the elephants left their habitat at Gunung Basor forest reserve to look for food.
"We estimated that currently, there are about 30 elephants living in the reserve," he said.
He said the female elephant would be relocated to the National Park soon.
Until last month, he said the department had captured 12 elephants in separate operations in three districts.
He added that eight of them were captured in Tanah Merah, two each in Kuala Krai and Gua Musang.
"The 12 elephants have been relocated to the National Parks in Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang as well as Royal Belum forest reserve in Perak."