IPOH: The Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) recorded 47 wild elephants attacks on villages and farms in Perak so far this year.
Its director-general, Datuk Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim said two cases — at Pos Kemar, Gerik, and along the East-West Expressway, also near Gerik, this month — saw people being injured.
"We will take action once we receive a report. We will chase them away or capture them. We can't avoid this incident.
"We have the Elephant Action Unit. There are times when we have to dispatch a team from Kuala Gandah (National Elephant Conservation Centre) to assist us here.
"Once we receive a report, we will take action. This year alone, two injuries were recorded."
Kadir was speaking today after a "Majlis Berendoi" for Jaguh, a baby hippo born on June 18 at the Hippo Kingdom in the Lost World of Tambun.
Asked whether the number human-elephant conflicts in Perak was worrying, Kadir said they were not.
"The number of wild elephant attacks in Perak is not worrying because every year, we usually receive 100 complaints, and so far it is under control," he said.
He also reminded villagers not to take matters into their own hands and let the authorities handle it.
On Aug 1, the state government said it would review the method of dealing with wild elephants in Hulu Perak following an increase in human-elephant conflicts.
Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said he would discuss the matter with the state Perhilitan director.