KALABAKAN, July 11 – The Tawau Wildlife Department has confirmed the presence of around 30 to 40 elephants in an oil palm plantation area between Cenderamata plantation and Dumpas plantation fronting Felda Umas here.
Tawau Wildlife Department officer Primus Lambut said they received reports about the presence of elephants since July 1 and had gone to the location to ensure everything was under control and to avoid public provocation.
“The presence of elephants are usual during chipping activities, when there is chipping of old oil palm trees, elephants will show up to graze,” he told Bernama, adding that the department understood and was concerned of elephant-related issues and its associated problems.
The department is also trying to ensure that the elephants move to the wildlife corridor in Brumas here.
“There are elephants moving to other areas, while there are those still in the chipping area,” he said, noting that the department had yet to receive any complaints from residents about the matter.
He also reminded the public to not provoke the elephants should they ever encounter them.
