IPOH, Oct 21 — The Perak Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) has received six official complaints this year from oil palm smallholders in Kampung Perlop 1, Sungai Siput, over wild elephants destroying crops and plantation infrastructure.
Its director, Dr Pazil Abdul Patah, said the herd is estimated at between three and eight elephants, believed to have come from the nearby Korbu Forest Reserve.
"The herd encroaching on Kampung Perlop 1 originally came from the Piah Forest Reserve in Lenggong, which has an estimated total of about 50 elephants, but has now split into smaller groups.
"Perhilitan also believes these are the same elephants that encroached into fruit orchards around Bukit Bangkong, Chemor, on Oct 15, as both locations fall within the range of the Korbu Forest Reserve," he said in a statement.
Yesterday, 18 oil palm smallholders appealed for urgent intervention from the authorities to tackle incursions by the mammals, which have destroyed crops spanning 80 hectares since early September.
Earlier, 12 farmers in Bukit Bangkong similarly appealed to the authorities for action to protect their 9.7-hectare fruit orchards from persistent elephant threats.
Meanwhile, Pazil said the department is actively monitoring the herd's movements to determine the most effective approach to resolve the conflict.
"For the long term, the department will focus on identifying conflict hotspots, strengthening early reporting systems, and expanding community awareness programmes," he said.
Pazil also advised affected smallholders to report incidents promptly to Perak Perhilitan so that applications under the Property and Crop Damage Assistance (BKHT) scheme can be processed in accordance with established requirements.
He said applicants should provide details including the plantation's location, the type and estimated cost of damage, the date of the incident, and supporting documents such as photographs and proof of land ownership or tenancy. — Bernama