Uncompleted electric fence project sees hungry elephants reaching out

An uncompleted electric fence has been unable to prevent wild elephants from looking for food at farms and gardens in Dong Nai Province.

Chairman of the southern province's Thanh Son Commune People's Committee, Ngo Van Son said on June 10 that a group of about ten wild elephants have recently reappeared and destroyed trees and plants at some villages in the areas.

"They often flock to local farms and living communities from late afternoon until early morning to look for foods," Son said. "Some 60 households have reported damage caused by the elephants to their crops and houses since the beginning of this year."

The official said that they have sent forest rangers to come and help local people to chase the elephants using fires, lights and loud sounds.

Conflicts between wild elephants and people in some areas in Dong Nai Province have been going on for over the past ten years when the animals are losing their living area.

Since mid-2017, a 50-km solar electric fencing system was installed to minimise conflicts.

"However, about 10 kilometres in Thanh Son District has no fence so the elephants keep reaching out for foods from here," Son said.


To read the full article, click on the story title.