Tree cutting angers elephants

Tree cutting angers elephants

BANDAR LAMPUNG, Lampung: The continuing destruction of resin
trees for oil palm plantation projects has driven wild elephants
to rampaging residential areas in western Lampung, farmers said
yesterday.

People in three villages in Perwakilan Bengkunat subdistrict
have reported 10 cases of elephants going berserk in recent
months, Antara reported.

"The elephants have lost their habitat to an oil palm
plantation developed by PT KCMU and PT PPL," farmer Maidin Ardan
said.

The big animals destroyed farmers' crops in Perwakilan
Bengkunat.

Elephants are protected by law. Lampung has a training center
for wild elephants captured to be trained to plow, remove logs or
entertain people.

Two people were reported killed by rampaging elephants in
Lampung earlier this week. (pan)