Orang Asli in Pos Simpor doing 'night shifts' to guard against wild elephant

New Straits Times

26-05-2025

GUA MUSANG: Orang Asli residents in Kampung Ceranok, Pos Simpor, have been taking night shifts to guard their homes from a wild elephant that has been roaming the area over the past two weeks.
Villagers claim, since the middle of the month, a male elephant has begun roaming closer to their homes.
Community representative Winson Bah Kuasan, 35, said residents have been taking shifts to monitor the elephant's presence and prevent further damage to crops caused by the animal.
"Two nights ago, five of us stayed up to track the elephant and drive it away before it could destroy more crops," he said.
Winson said they were worried the animal could become aggressive and had already lodged a report with the Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa).
He said villagers were hoping for a long-term solution from the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) to resolve the ongoing problem.
Another villager, Sarina Hasan, 40, said the elephant would typically enter their settlement between 6pm and midnight.
"We remain indoors and can hardly sleep at night out of fear it might turn aggressive and damage our homes," she said.
Sarina said elephant disturbances had been happening since last year but had become worse, with the animal now venturing right up to their doorsteps at times.
"We live in constant fear. Apart from worrying about our safety, we're also anxious about our future since we rely entirely on our crops for food," she said.
Meanwhile, Nenggiri assemblyman Mohd Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghani urged villagers to remain vigilant and not provoke the elephant.
He said his office had provided rice aid to support those affected.
"I hope a solution can be found soon, as this involves both the safety and food security of the Orang Asli community in the interior," he said.