KOTA BARU: Villagers in Kelantan suffered losses of about RM2.3 million caused by encroachment of elephants.
State Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) director Ady Ermanty Haniff Mohamed said these huge losses were recorded between January to December last year in six districts identified as 'Human-Elephant Conflicts' (HEC) areas.
He said the districts involved were Gua Musang, Kuala Krai, Tanah Merah, Pasir Putih, Machang and Jeli.
He said as of February this year, losses of about RM1 million were recorded by villagers due to rampaging elephants.
"A majority of these cases occured in agricultural and villages in these six districts.
"Crops such as durian, banana, rubber and oil palm trees were also destroyed."
Ady said the department had captured 16 elephants last year, and another five elephants were also caught for relocation in the first two months of this year.
He said these captured elephants had encroached and destroyed crops in Jeli, Tanah Merah and Kuala Krai.
"Last year, the state Perhilitan received 245 reports of elephant disturbances. From January and February this year, we received 76 complaints."
He said the department would continue its operation to track down wild elephants to prevent villagers from suffering more losses.