The crop raider has stolen their hearts, too

obmar · The crop raider has stolen their hearts, too

The crop raider has stolen their hearts, too
09 Sep 2006
Sheridan Mahavera

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JELI: He’s damaged their orchards and eaten their produce, but the villagers of Kampung Lahad Janggut have a sneaking affection for the young elephant that’s been wandering around the village.

They’re relieved that the wayward five-year-old has been caught, but ...

"He’s a pleasant fellow. He ate our crops but didn’t bother us or damage our property. We got used to seeing him around," said 60-year-old Che Mat Deris.

The elephant had been roaming in and around the village for close to a month. It would even saunter into their compounds for a nap but not once, say the villagers, did he act aggressively.

Che Mat described how a group of schoolchildren stumbled onto the animal sitting on its haunches by the roadside three days ago.

"The children froze in their tracks, but the animal just stared at them. I could tell it didn’t feel threatened because it just flapped its ears. After a while, it got up and walked away," he said.

Another villager, 46-year-old Muhammad Abdullah, said the elephant wandered into his stepbrother’s compound a week ago and lay down for a nap next to the latter’s car.

"They were shocked when he suddenly appeared in their front yard, but they were more surprised he didn’t damage the car or head-butt the house, which usually happens when elephants are excited by humans," Muhammad said.

A team of five National Wildlife and Parks department rangers from Jeli and Kuala Krai caught the animal near a stream behind the village recently, shooting it with a tranquiliser dart.

Department director Pazil Abdul Patah said the animal was separated from its herd when they moved on to other feeding grounds.

It has been chained to a nearby tree, awaiting transportation to the National Elephant Conservation Centre in Lancang, Pahang, before a decision is made as to where he will be released .

The head of the department’s elephant unit Nasaruddin Osman said: "We are aiming to transport him by next week. We have to get the aid of two docile female elephants from the centre to move him."