Elephant Trespasses Into Village: Two Banana Plantation Owners Suffer Loss Of RM20,000

DUNGUN,  Nov  3 (Bernama) -- Two banana plantation owners suffered losses exceeding RM20,000 after their crops were destroyed by a wild elephant in Kampung Minda, Hulu Dungun, since last month.

One of the owners, Mohd Samsudin Khalid, 62, said the elephant entered his one-hectare plantation on Nov 27 and 29 and again on Dec 1.

"The wild elephant damaged more than 700 banana trees with the fruits already ripe and ready for sale, as well as newly planted saplings.

“The elephant broke through the perimeter fencing into the plantation, thus also caused damage to the fence,” he told Bernama today.

He estimated his losses at RM10,000.

"I have been cultivating banana plants for the past three years, and every year they are invaded by wild elephants, causing significant losses," he said.

Mohd Samsudin added that the same elephants also damaged his friend’s banana plantation nearby over four consecutive days, from Thursday to Sunday, causing almost the same amount of loss.

He said there are about 10 banana plantations in the village.

Meanwhile, Kampung Minda Village Development and Security Committee (JPKK) chairman Nordin Saman, 53, said the matter has been reported to the Terengganu Wildlife and National Parks Department (PERHILITAN) for further action.

"I have been cultivating banana plantations for the past three years, and they are invaded by wild elephants every year,” he said.

According to him, PERHILITAN personnel have been monitoring the two banana plantations over the past few days to track the movement of the wild elephants.

“A report was also lodged last April after the animal was seen roaming around the village. We hope PERHILITAN can capture or drive the elephant back to its forest habitat, as we are concerned about the safety of residents,” he said.

-- BERNAMA