KUALA BERANG, Sept 16 (Bernama) -- The wild male elephant captured at Kampung Kolam, Ajil, near here last Thursday is being relocated to Royal Belum State Park, Perak, for release tonight.
Terengganu Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) director Dennis Ten Choon Yung said more than 24 personnel, including those from the National Elephant Conservation Centre (PKGK) in Kuala Gandah, Pahang and the Johor Elephant Sanctuary (JES), were involved in the relocation operation which began at 9 am today.
He said the operation, assisted by two tame elephants, took about three hours due to several factors, including the weather and surrounding conditions.
“The bull, named ‘Awang Kolam’ by local residents, was successfully captured on Sept 10 and tamed by two female elephants, Abot and Sanum, from the PKGK in Kuala Gandah, Pahang, for the relocation process.
“The extraction process went smoothly, and the bull was successfully loaded onto a lorry at about 11.30 am to be transported to the release site. However, coaxing the bull took quite some time as it is a wild elephant, and the safety of the personnel had to be taken into consideration,” he said after ‘Awang Kolam’ relocation operation at Kampung Kolam here today.
Ten said the operation went smoothly with the cooperation of various parties, including the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), which helped control and disperse the crowd that had gathered since early morning.
He said the bull, which has a 15-inch footprint, was now in stable and healthy condition.
“From Jan 1 to today, Terengganu Perhilitan has carried out 10 wild elephant relocation operations throughout the state, with each operation costing more than RM60,000.
“The relocation work had to be carried out to protect property and public safety, as people face risks when elephants enter residential areas or plantations,” he said.
-- BERNAMA