March 14, 2025
PERAK – Perak Wildlife Dept steps up costly relocation efforts due to increase in complaints of disturbance
For residents and road users in Perak, particularly in Gerik and Sungai Siput, elephant herd sightings have become as common as spotting livestock such as cows and goats.
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However, unlike livestock, these large animals pose significant safety risks and can cause property damage, making their presence a pressing concern, especially for villagers living near their habitat.
Although elephant-human conflicts have existed for a long time, individuals who have encountered these massive land mammals in recent years highlight the need for a more comprehensive solution.
In an interview with Bernama, Perak Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) director Yusoff Shariff said based on its monitoring and control efforts, the department did not rule out the possibility of a growing elephant population.
He also noted that adaptation factors had made these animals less inclined to avoid humans, resulting in more frequent sightings.
“Perak, with nearly 50% of its land still forested and connected to southern Thailand’s forests, offers a suitable habitat for elephants to thrive.
“The ease of reporting incidents via smartphones has also contributed to the increase in complaints, along with greater public awareness – particularly among the younger generation – about wildlife and conservation,” said Yusoff.
He acknowledged that human activities, such as land clearing for development, had driven elephants to venture into plantations and human settlements.
Additionally, he said elephants had a natural tendency to return to areas they have previously roamed.
Complaints and compensation
Between 2019 and 2024, Perhilitan Perak recorded two fatalities and three injuries resulting from elephant-human conflicts, said Yusoff.
He estimated that elephant-related damage during this period amounted to RM2,343,673.
“Last year, Perhilitan Perak received 422 complaints related to elephants, with a total of RM150,744.52 paid in aid to affected victims,” he disclosed.
“We compensate half of the estimated damage – for example, if the loss is RM5,000, we will give RM2,500,” he said, noting that the compensation covered damage to crops and property.
He added that the payments were made through the “Bantuan Kerugian Harta Benda dan Tanaman Akibat Serangan Hidupan Liar” (BKHT), a compensation scheme funded by the Federal Government.
For incidents involving injury or death because of wildlife attacks, Yusoff said assistance was provided through “Tabung Bantuan Mangsa Serangan Binatang Buas”, which was established in 2008 and managed by the Welfare Department.
“Our role is solely to advise and verify that the attack was indeed caused by wildlife,” he explained.
More elephant translocations
Between 2020 and 2023, Perhilitan Perak relocated 41 elephants involved in conflicts with humans.
“In 2024, the number was significantly higher than each of the previous years – 32 elephants were relocated, 16 of them from Kampung Bandariang, Gerik.
“The case in Kampung Bandariang involved a group of elephants,” said Yusoff.
Typically, Perhilitan’s first response to elephant disturbance complaints is to drive the animals away from the area.
“When we receive a complaint, we investigate and chase the elephants away, regardless of whether they arrive individually or in a group,” he said, explaining that capture and relocation only occur if the elephants return repeatedly.
“If the elephants come as a group, we usually capture only one, as the rest will typically flee and not return,” he added.
However, in Kampung Bandariang, the elephant group was persistent, returning to the location even after two of them were captured.
When asked why the elephants refused to leave, Yusoff suggested that peak season for dokong fruit at the time was a major factor drawing them back to the village.
He said that relocating elephants was a complex and costly process, particularly because of manpower and logistics requirements.
“Each operation requires around 30 personnel.
“The cost of tranquiliser drugs is high because they are imported.
“If the captured elephant is in a remote location without roads, we have to build access routes using heavy machinery so that a truck can get close.
“We also need to construct a loading bay to safely lift the elephant onto the truck.
“The same applies if we use trained decoy elephants (gajah denak).
“Since Perak does not have any, we must bring them from the National Elephant Conservation Centre in Kuala Gandah, Pahang.
“At minimum, we need two decoy elephants to ‘persuade’ the captured elephant to cooperate,” he said.
Elephant diet and behaviour
Yusoff said elephants typically consume 6% to 10% of their body weight in food daily, which requires them to roam over large areas in search of sustenance.
“The elephants in this country belong to the Asian elephant species, which can weigh up to 5,000kg (five tonnes) and reach a height of three metres.
“For instance, if an elephant weighs 1,000kg (one tonne), it eats 60kg to 100kg of food per day.
“Their diet includes leaves, shoots and especially palm hearts, which is why elephants often raid oil palm plantations – they love eating palm shoots.
“They also enjoy coconuts and sugarcane,” he said, adding that wild elephants could live up to 65 years.
Elephants reach sexual maturity at eight to nine years old and begin mating, with a gestation period of 22 months.
“Typically, elephants give birth to a single calf and twin births are rare.
“The newborn is cared for collectively by other elephants in the group,” said Yusoff.
Elephants live in herds led by a dominant female, while mature males leave the group and lead solitary lives.
The animals are most active from early evening until early morning, with home ranges covering up to 60sq km.
They are also susceptible to various diseases, including obesity, diabetes and cancer.
“Elephants that are accustomed to human presence behave differently from those that rarely encounter people. Additionally, these animals learn from experience,” said Yusoff.
“For example, if people frequently throw firecrackers at them, the elephants will initially flee out of fear.
“However, if this continues without any real consequences, they may eventually stop running away altogether,” he said.
He highlighted that the opposite was also true.
“If elephants experience pain every time they hear an explosion from gunshots, they will start associating loud bangs with danger, increasing the likelihood of them attacking.
“The same applies to car horns – there are two possible reactions: either the elephants flee or they charge.
“Therefore, the best course of action when encountering an elephant on the road is to remain still inside your vehicle and avoid honking,” he advised.
Yusoff believes that elephant-human conflicts in Malaysia remained relatively under control compared to other countries.
“In Thailand, an average of 20 to 30 people die from elephant attacks each year.
“In peninsular Malaysia, if I recall correctly, there were two fatal cases last year – one each in Johor and Perak. It indicates that the situation is still manageable,” he said.
In Malaysia, elephants are fully protected under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010.