(MY) jumbo's death

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Learning from jumbo's death - New Straits Times*17 Jul 2006*

ABD RASID SAMSUDIN, Director-GeneralDepartment of Wildlife and National

Parks

 

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*THE conservation of elephants, whether in-situ or ex-situ, is carried out

by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks.

*

With the reduction in its habitat, wild elephants pose a greater threat to

agriculture, property and human life. The department has planned a long-term

strategy to reduce the elephant problem.

 

Part of the strategy is the setting up of an Elephant Capture/Translocation

Unit in 1974.

 

Since its establishment, 342 elephants have been translocated, including 20

calves which were separated from their mothers.

 

The calves were cared for at the National Elephant Conservation Centre

(NECC) in Kuala Gandah.

 

All the staff involved in the capture/translocation of the wild elephants

are trained.

 

The death of the elephant calf Mat Chepor in Lenggong, Perak is a tragedy

which we regret. The department tried its best to save the calf but was

unsuccessful.

 

Mat Chepor was captured after it was seen wandering and destroying crops at

Felcra Stang, Lenggong Perak.

 

The department's staff cared for it for three days.

 

On June 21, Mat Chepor was administered an immobilising drug to enable it to

be taken out of the capture area.

 

The animal was made to walk to the waiting Hilux (this was used because the

capture site is inaccessible to the lorry which was to carry it to NECC).

 

The journey on the Hilux was uncomfortable and could be among the factors

which caused Mat Chepor to collapse.

 

Advice from the department's veterinary officer was sought on the next

course of action. A vet was called and treatment given. Although efforts

were made to save it, it died the following day.

 

Besides work on the capture and translocation of displaced elephants, the

NECC carries out public awareness programmes for visitors to the centre. It

also carries out extension programmes to nearby schools.

 

Two calves, Mados and Shawal, were taken on an extension programme in

Temerloh on July 1.

 

However, an accident happened along the way. Mados slipped and fell on the

lorry. Examinations showed Mados' hind legs might have been sprained.

 

NECC officers and staff are caring for Mados.

 

The department took note of the death of Mat Chepor and the injury to Mados.

 

 

Investigations are on-going. The results will help us to upgrade the in-situ

and ex-situ procedures relating to wildlife conservation.