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)