Lampung asks for govt's nod to `export' elephants<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The southern Sumatra province of Lampung has
\nasked the central government for permission to resettle some of
\nits elephants elsewhere in Indonesia because of increasing
\nattacks by the beasts on villages and towns, which often resulted
\nin loss of life.<\/p>\n
Head of the provincial environmental office, Nawawi, said in
\nBandar Lampung that the elephant population in Lampung continues
\nto rise each year while their natural habitat shrinks as land is
\nbeing appropriated for residential and industrial purposes, the
\nAntara news agency reported yesterday.<\/p>\n
Nawawi said 14 people have been trampled to death since 1993
\nduring elephant raids on various villages in the province.<\/p>\n
The elephant stampedes, one herd could consist of up to 72
\nelephants, also caused extensive damage to houses, rice fields
\nand plantations in the province, he said.<\/p>\n
The population of elephants, a protected species, in Lampung
\nis estimated at more than 1,000, and only 400 of them live in
\nnational parks.<\/p>\n
Nawawi said the number increases by up to 50 each year.<\/p>\n
The province has taken various measures to protect the animal,
\nincluding herding the wild elephants into national parks and
\nconducting courses to domesticate the animal.<\/p>\n
The PLG Way Kambas elephant school in Lampung however is now
\non the verge of closing because of shortages of funds. The school
\nhas already domesticated 80 elephants which have been sent to
\nzoos, safari parks and circus teams. (emb)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/lampung-asks-for-govts-nod-to-export-elephants-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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