Mammoth problem lurks in Sumatra

JAKARTA (JP): Elephants in Sumatra have been at it again all year round. They have been raiding villages, devouring crops, and leaving massive destruction. One report said as many as 14 people have been killed in elephant rampages in Sumatra.

The elephant problem has been a constant headache for the government. The animals are a protected species.

But forced out of their natural habitat with the clearing of forests in Sumatra, many of the elephants have turned to plantations in search of food.

Sumatra is home to about 4,000 elephants, which are scattered in 44 sites. Most have already been herded to national parks, but some are still on the loose. These are the culprits.

Overwhelmed with the elephant problems, Minister of Transmigration Siswono Yudohusodo at one stage proposed to selectively kill some of them. His idea was quickly shot down by environmentalists.

The Directorate General for Forest Protection and Nature Preservation, assuring that elephants are not the enemy of human beings, has been working hard to domesticate and train the animals.

They were trained not only to entertain tourists, but also to work in plantations.

Coordination meetings among various government agencies agreed to consider using elephants in opening up new transmigration sites and other projects as they realized the need to preserve both the species and their habitat. (sim)