A wild elephant that has been encroaching on an Orang Asli settlement in Sungai Siput, Perak for approximately a month was successfully relocated by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks Peninsular Malaysia (Perhilitan) on Sunday (7 January).
The 1.8-tonne male elephant, named ‘Aga Legap’ is estimated to be around 11 years old and was captured on 4 January. The mammal is believed to have been separated from its elephant herd at a nearby forest reserve.
Taking to its official Facebook page, Perhilitan shared that the translocation process for Aga Legap was successful thanks to the department’s biggest helpers: 2 elephants acting as denak (tamers) named ‘Abot’ and ‘Rambai’.
Abot and Rambai successfully persuaded Aga Legap to relocate back to its original habitat, with Perhilitan sharing a couple of photos of the elephant duo persuading and ‘escorting’ the wild elephant.
Besides Abot and Rambai, the translocation operation also involved 29 Perak Perhilitan and Kuala Gandah National Elephant Conservation Centre staff members, while being assisted by villagers and the Malaysian Volunteer Corps Department (RELA)
This is not the first time Abot and Rambai have been part of such a translocation operation. Both elephants that were rescued and trained as denak, Abot and Rambai played crucial parts in assisting Perhilitan to capture and relocate many wild elephants in the past.
Just recently, Abot was involved in the translocation of a wild elephant near the Malaysia-Thailand border, and before that, the duo worked together to translocate a wild 2.5-tonne elephant in Pahang on 13 December.
So, what do you guys think of the translocation operations of wild elephants by Perhilitan and the exploits of Abot and Rambai? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
Also read: “Majestic!” – Lucky M’sians Get to Witness Elephant Family Swimming Across Tasik Kenyir
