Terengganu village on alert after wild elephant destroys banana, sugarcane crops

KUALA NERUS, Aug 22 — Authorities in Terengganu are investigating the presence of a wild elephant roaming in Kampung Pengkalan Gelugor, Jeram. The elephant reportedly destroyed banana and sugarcane crops, as well as posed a safety risk to residents in the village. State Perhilitan director Dennis Ten Choon Yung advised the public not to enter the affected area or approach the elephant, to prevent any incidents.

He emphasized that residents must not follow the elephant's tracks, throw objects at it, or take actions that could provoke it. Perhilitan urged residents to yield if the animal crosses their path and to give the department space to carry out control and translocation operations. The nearest forest reserve to the incident location was Belara Forest Reserve in Kuala Nerus, which had no previous records of elephant sightings in the area.

The Royal Malaysia Police and other security agencies have been informed and are assisting in controlling traffic and resident movements in the area. Perhilitan is conducting control and monitoring around the complaint location before proceeding with translocation when conditions are suitable.