Catching 40 wild elephants

Catching 40 wild elephants

BANDAR LAMPUNG: Forest authorities plan to catch 40 wild
elephants, which often encroach on villages and devour farmers'
crops because their habitat is dwindling.

Forestry office chief Eko Wardoyo said the large elephant
population and the dwindling habitat have made the large beasts
turn against human beings.

"We consider sending the elephants to the Way Kambas
(elephant) school," Wardoyo was quoted by Antara as saying on
Monday.

But local conservation officer Harjanto WS said he disagrees
with the idea of capturing the elephants. What authorities need
to do, he said, is drive the elephants back to the forest.

He advised that people should be taught basic skill to repel
rampaging wild elephants.

Areas prone to disturbance by the wild beasts are Way Jepara,
Central Lampung, Bengkunat and Krui. (03)