LED lights keep elephants away
KUANTAN: After digging trenches and putting up solar-powered electric fences, the state Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) has introduced a unique solution to keep elephants from encroaching human settlements.
LED (Light-emitting diodes) lights are being utilised to prevent rampaging elephants from destroying farmers’ crops. The method, which was introduced in Kuala Medang in Lipis several months ago, has shown promising results.
State Perhilitan director Ahmad Azhar Mohammad said the solar-powered LED bulbs had resulted in a 90 per cent drop in elephant encroachment into agricultural land or villages during the night.
“The technique was first used in Pahang and 30 units have been installed. The method will be expanded to other conflict areas and we are looking into improving it.
“Sadly, some irresponsible individuals have been removing the LED lights and this is a setback to the department’s efforts to prevent the mammals from destroying farms and fruit trees,” he said yesterday.
The LED bulbs are tied to wooden poles so that elephants can see them from a distance. It was learnt that elephants keep away from flashing lights instead of fixed or powerful lights.
The LED method, which is widely used in farms in India, is in the early stages of implementation in Pahang and farmers are keen to learn about the method.
On a separate matter, Ahmad Azhar said the herd of elephants spotted walking in an oil palm plantation in Kota Gelanggi, Jerantut, several days ago was believed to have been separated into two groups.
“The herd was walking along their usual track towards its habitat, but, upon noticing a group of people watching them from a bridge, two of the elephants separated and were believed to have returned towards the village,” he said, referring to the incident on Aug 29 where several motorists stopped their vehicles upon spotting the elephants walking below the bridge.