DO NOT TAKE ELEPHANT DEATHS LIGHTLY

SAHABAT Alam Malaysia (SAM) is astounded by the death of another wild elephant in Gerik, Perak. In the incident on Jan 3, a 40year-old female elephant was electrocuted at a construction site.

Elephants enter populated areas to search for food. These pachyderms have lost their natural habitats due to land clearing.

According to an elephant expert, natural habitats are lost when roads are built across grasslands, causing automobile traffic.

SAM, other non-governmental organisations and the public have expressed concern over the increasing number of roadkill involving elephants and other species.

However, it appears that the Malaysian Highway Authority has not addressed the issue, as many letters from SAM have gone unanswered.

Elephants are exposed to dangers from poachers, automobile accidents, poisoning, and are shot or killed by plantation workers.

The electrocution of this lactating female elephant brings to mind a similar incident in Sabah, where seven pygmy elephants died in an abandoned quarry pond in 2016.

It is irresponsible to leave work sites that are hazardous to humans and animals.

Which government body, department or agency is responsible for putting up the cabin and later abandoning it upon completion of the project without disconnecting its electrical supply?

Who will be held responsible for this unsafe work site? What if a person had walked near the cabin and stepped on the live wire?

The loss of one elephant is a number less, but what about its baby? It may follow the herd, but what are its chances of survival without its mother?

This death should not be taken lightly by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks.

Given this situation and neglect of safety protocols, SAM urges the department to probe into the incident and release the results of its findings to the public.