IPOH, Aug 26 (Bernama) — An adult male wild elephant, believed to be named Sulong Chalil, spotted roaming along the Jalan Raya Timur Barat (JRTB), Gerik, since Aug 17 is a reminder to the nation that wildlife, including elephants, needs large and connected forest landscapes to survive.
The World Wide Fund for Nature, Malaysia (WWF-Malaysia) in a statement today through a Facebook post said wildlife corridors are essential, ensuring elephants can move safely between habitats in search of food, water and shelter.
“This also highlights the importance of maintaining healthy forests and ecological corridors while addressing underlying issues of habitat fragmentation and land loss.
“In the meantime, we also encourage continued efforts by relevant stakeholders to identify and strengthen measures at known wildlife crossing areas along the Gerik-Jeli highway, informed by wildlife movement data and site-specific conservation science,” according to the statement.
It said the WWF-Malaysia also urges the public to avoid stopping their vehicles to directly approach Sulong, in particular, and to not attempt to feed the elephant.
WWF-Malaysia said that although the attempt to feed Sulong is done with the kindest of intentions, feeding wildlife encourages them to seek food from people which in turn attracts them to areas that will inevitably put them, motorists and other road users at risk.
“We also urge motorists travelling along the Gerik-Jeli highway to slow down, remain alert, and be attentive to wildlife crossing signboards to help ensure the safety of both motorists and wildlife.
“WWF-Malaysia remains committed to protecting elephants in Malaysia and would like to reiterate our concern for Sulong’s well-being, shared by Malaysians across the country. It is our hope that he receives the care and attention he deserves,” said the statement.
WWF-Malaysia also acknowledge that the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) has dedicated field personnel with patrols conducted twice daily, including veterinary expertise to assess Sulong’s physical condition.
In addition to that, the WWF-Malaysia field team in Belum-Temengor is complementing the efforts by Perhilitan, by keeping a lookout for Sulong.
Yesterday, it was reported that Perak Perhilitan was continuing to monitor the wild elephant, while herding it back into the forest.
Perak Perhilitan said that the elephant had sustained an injury to its right front leg, but its behaviour remained normal and it was still able to move well.
Two days ago, videos went viral on social media showing the elephant walking on the shoulder of JRTB, with the footage believed to have been recorded by members of the public using the route.
The elephant is said to have originated from Chalil, Gua Musang, before being relocated to the forest area in Gerik in a Perhilitan translocation operation, but it is believed to have moved back towards its original habitat via the route.
— BERNAMA