KOTA BARU: The state Wildlife Department has captured a wild elephant in Kampung Laloh near Kuala Krai on Wednesday.
Its director Mohamad Hafid Rohani said the elephant was caught after his department received a complaint that it had encroached several farms on Feb 28.
Ten rangers from the Kuala Krai Wildlife Department and the Kelantan Elephant Capture Unit (UTG) successfully captured the elephant, he said.
"The capture of the male elephant has relieved many residents in few villages as they will not longer suffered losses due to the elephant conflict," he said in a statement.
Mohamad Hafid said the relocation operation to transfer and release the wild elephant will be carried out tomorrow with the help of two decoy elephants and the Kuala Gandah National Elephant Conservation Centre staff in Lanchang, Pahang.
""Capturing and relocating this wild elephant may offer a temporary fix, but it's not a sustainable solution given the proximity of the farms to the Sungai Rek Permanent Forest Reserve (HSK).
"It is believed that the estimated population of wild elephants in Sungai Rek HSK numbers more than 20," he said.
He said his crew had taken action to reduce conflicts in the area by advising villagers, especially farmers, to take mitigative measures.
"The public is advised to be extra cautious and alert if they come across wild animals and not to take any action that could harm themselves," he said