Export of elephants suggested

Export of elephants suggested

BANDAR LAMPUNG, Lampung: Local farmers, complaining of
frequent raids on their land by herds of wild elephants, are
calling on the government to export the animals, which have
become a pest, Antara reported yesterday.

"We can't kill the elephants because there are laws to protect
them, despite the fact that they destroy our land and even kill
people," a farmer said.

The locals said the elephant population has been increasing
and they have been spreading. "They're fat, so they'd be good for
export," farmer Irsan said.

The farmers also said they could not keep the elephants off
their land. "They're no longer afraid if we try to chase them
away with noise or torches. We can only escape when they come on
their raids," said one man.

There are about 1,000 elephants in Lampung's forests. (swe)