Perak aims to reduce human-wildlife conflicts

The Star

23-05-2025

IPOH: Perak looks forward to resolving the increasing number of human-wildlife conflicts in the state with the help of the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan), says Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.
The Mentri Besar said several incidents, particularly those involving elephants crossing the East-West Highway, have been reported, with recent observations suggesting changes in elephant behaviour.
'We have seen elephants crossing, especially in large groups, so something must be prompting this.
'We need to study their behaviour more closely to understand what is going on,' he told reporters after attending the Northern Corridor Economic Region Ramah Mesra event, here yesterday.
Saarani said Perhilitan, with its expertise in wildlife management, will take the lead in investigating the cause and proposing appropriate measures.
He cited a past incident during the development of the Agropolitan Gandah project, where elephants frequently disturbed newly planted rubber trees.
'Eventually, we allocated a specific area just for the elephants to feed and roam. Once they had that space, they no longer came into conflict with the plantation.
'That experience taught us the importance of understanding and adapting to wildlife behaviour,' he said.
Saarani said it is important to investigate whether elephants were crossing the Gerik-Jeli stretch more often after the recent accident involving a baby elephant.
'I want to remind road users, especially in known wildlife corridors, to be extra cautious. These are traditional elephant routes.
'I have tasked state executive councillor Teh Kok Lim to initiate talks with Perhilitan to identify the cause and effective solutions.
'We are looking into the matter, especially now that the elephants are crossing roads in larger groups,' he added.
On May 11, a five-year-old elephant was killed after it was struck by a lorry along KM80 of the highway.
An adult elephant, believed to be the mother, then attacked the lorry, damaging the front of the vehicle, in its attempt to free the calf pinned by the vehicle.
On May 20, a herd of wild elephants damaged a car that had a 39-year-old man inside at KM11 on the same highway.
On another matter, Saarani said Perak has secured RM450mil in confirmed ­foreign investments, following a recent working trip to Europe.
He said the delegation visited France, Belgium and Britain, engaging with industry players in construction, chemicals, aquaculture and automotive testing.
In France, the team visited Saint-Gobain, which plans to invest an additional RM2mil in its Kanthan plant here, and in Belgium, Lhoist committed RM250mil to expand its quarry operations in Tapah.
Three potential investors were also identified for the Lumut Maritime Industrial City (LuMIC), including firms in ship recycling and logistics, expected to visit in June.
The state also plans to collaborate on a shrimp farming project using artemia feed, through the Perak State Agriculture Development Corporation.
'In Britain, the team studied the National Automotive Testing Centre in Leicester, with plans to establish a similar research and development driven track in Sungkai,' he added.