Animals search for food in villages

PEKANBARU, Riau: Forest fires have forced tigers and elephants to escape to villages in Riau in search of food, according to Dharminto Soetono, the head of the provincial forestry service.

Antara quoted the official as saying Monday that the wild beasts pose a real threat to the local people. He added that a resident of Sotol village, Langgam subdistrict, Kampar district was mauled to death by a tiger while collecting resin in his estate.

Tigers and elephants have also gone on a rampage in Kerintang subdistrict in Indragiri Hilir district, Siberida subdistrict in Indragiri Hulu district and Langgam, Kampar, he said.

Dharminto said his office had set up a special task force to drive the tigers and the elephants back to their abode. (swe)