Foraging elephant strikes fear into Orang Asli villagers

A bull elephant which has been wreaking havoc in Kampung Aring 5 Orang Asli settlement in Gua Musang, Kelantan for the past three days has made people afraid to leave their homes.

Orang Asli Community Management Council (MPKOA) chairman for Kampung Aring 5, Asrul Husin, said it’s not a new occurrence.

“It’s the second incident this year involving elephants. In March, hundreds of banana trees grown by the villagers were ruined. The bananas are a source of income for many,” he said of the settlement with over 200 inhabitants.

Syaimi Ab Hadi said villagers are afraid of being out at night because the bull elephant seems to leave the jungle to forage around 1am and then returns to the jungle again around 5am.

“With the recent damage, we’ve suffered big losses. Not only our banana harvest, but the rubber trees will also need to be planted again.

"The Department of Wildlife and National Parks has been informed and we hope something will be done soon because the elephant might decide to attack the villagers next,” he said.

- Bernama