Kuala terengganu: A total of 422 elephant-related complaints have been recorded in Terengganu from 2020 to April this year, according to the state Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, State Agriculture, Agro-Based Industry, Food Security and Commodities Committee chairman Datuk Dr. Azman Ibrahim reported that Hulu Terengganu and Kemaman had the highest number of cases, with 128 each. Setiu followed with 94 complaints, Dungun with 53, Besut with 16, Kuala Nerus with 2, and Marang with 1.

Dr. Azman detailed the yearly distribution of complaints, noting that 54 complaints were made in 2020, which rose to 63 in 2021. The number slightly decreased to 53 in 2022 but saw a significant rise to 109 in 2023 and 114 in 2024. In the first four months of the current year, 29 complaints involving human-elephant conflict were received. He shared this information during a session at the State Legislative Assembly held at Wisma Darul Iman.

In response to Azmi Maarof (PAS-Langkap), who inquired about the state-level efforts to address crop damage caused by wild elephants, Dr. Azman explained that mitigation strategies include the use of satellite collars on elephants to monitor their movements and behavior. Two elephants have been collared thus far, including one that remains active in the TDM plantation in Cherul, Kemaman. Dr. Azman emphasized that these collars serve as an early warning system, aiding authorities in planning timely responses and reducing elephant incursions.