When elephants attack | The Star

Kluang smallholder says 80% of plantation has been destroyed by herd, hoping for authorities to act

A SMALLHOLDER at Felda Bukit Tongkat in Kluang has lost hundreds of oil palm trees over the past three years due to elephant attacks.

Mohamad Isa Murah, 64, said that over 80% of his 4.05ha plot had been destroyed after elephant intrusions that became more frequent in the last two years.

“In the past, we saw elephant footprints but the animals merely passed by our plantation and did not cause any damage.

“Since 2021, the elephants have been destroying the trees. I have stopped planting more trees as I know they will be destroyed.

“The most recent attack was in the middle of September. I lost over 200 trees in just one night,” he told StarMetro.

“I have suffered losses of about RM40,000 from the attacks.

“Now, I have only a few more trees to harvest and even those trees can be destroyed at any moment.

“If nothing changes, I will lose my sole source of income to feed my family,” said the father of nine.

Aminuddin says there has been an increase in elephant attacks on plantations.

“I have a 24-year-old son who has Down Syndrome and one child who is still in school.

“At my age, it is difficult to find other jobs, especially since I have a heart condition.

“I am thankful my other children are working and supporting me as I’m completely dependent on them now.”

He said he reported the incidents to the Wildlife Protection and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) and the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda).

“Many other smallholders who suffered similar losses have made reports but nothing much can be done as this issue involves a big herd of about 12 elephants.

“Nonetheless, I hope something can be done to either solve this issue or give us some aid.”

Johor Perhilitan director Aminuddin Jamin said that the department would follow up on the matter.

“In such cases, we will usually relocate the elephants to areas that are away from humans.

“Elephants are attracted to oil palm plantation areas when the chipping process is going on as they can smell it.”

He explained that chipping was a technique used for the replanting of oil palm trees.

He said lately, there had been an increase in the number of complaints involving elephants.

“Most of the cases are from Kluang, Mersing and Kota Tinggi as these are districts have thick forests that are the natural habitat of elephants.

“We urge those who have been affected to immediately report to us.

“Never provoke the elephants or take matters into your own hands,” added Aminuddin.