Elephant caught while taking stroll

PEKANBARU, Riau: A wild elephant strolling in the southwest of the town was caught by tamers from the Natural Resource Conservation Agency Sunday, a report said yesterday.

Agency officials called in tamers and two elephant trainers to catch the big beast which local residents had spotted in the area several days earlier.

Agency chief Susilo Legowo said the presence of the wild animal in the residential area sparked panic among local residents. He said the elephant got lost after it was separated from its group.

The incident is not the first to occur in the town. Several years ago, a herd of elephants which lost their way encroached on residential areas.

Environmentalists say elephants in Sumatra's jungles are losing their habitat due to development projects.

Susilo said the provincial government has planned to catch 20 elephants and send them to the Sebanga elephant training center this year, Antara reported.