TELUPID: An employee of the Sabah Wildlife Department fell into a ravine when chased by elephants yesterday.
The 30-year-old victim was injured but is now stable after treatment.
Department director Augustine Tuuga said he was trying to get rid of the elephants roaming around the district police station and Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Telupid here but fell into the ravine when trying to escape from the elephants.
He added that the human-elephant conflict here involved more than 20 elephants has been going on for a year
“All had been captured and translocated to the Deramakot Forest Reserve.
"However, the herd came back here again from Dec 18,” Augustine said, adding the department had despatched many of its personnel from other districts to address the issue.
He added they also sought help from the youth in several villages here, Civil Defence personnel, and non-governmental organisations.
However, they only captured five elephants and translocated them to Imbak Canyon forest reserve.
NSTP had yesterday reported that students and teachers of SMK Telupid here were shocked when an elephant strolled into their school in the morning.
The unexpected 6am visit saw the lone pachyderm enter the school premises before heading for the canteen, apparently in search of food.
The herd had also gone into district police station after damaging the fence.