FWD: Elephants found grazing near housing estate

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This article is from The Star Online (http://thestar.com.my)

URL:

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2005/7/7/nation/11418131 & sec=nation

 

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Thursday July 7, 2005

Elephants found grazing near housing estate

<b>BY VINCENT TAN</b>

 

MALACCA: Five young elephants, with metal chains around their necks, caused a

stir at a housing estate in Malim Jaya when the residents saw the animals

grazing at a nearby vacant lot.

 

Officials from the Wildlife and National Parks Department and the Malacca Zoo

quickly rushed to the area and found that the animals were part of a travelling

show that recently performed at the San Pedro fest in the Portuguese settlement

here.

 

State Wildlife and National Parks director Abd Rahim Othman said it was not

safe to let the elephants graze there.

 

He said that while the owner had been given a permit for the elephants, he

should have informed the department when the animals arrived, the purpose of

having them here and when they would be leaving.

 

He said the elephants & #039; trainer was from Thailand, adding that the owner

was given a permit by the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry to move the

elephants about for performances here.

 

& #147;I have spoken to the trainer but we & #146;re still waiting for the owner

to come forward to explain to us, & #148; said Abd Rahim.

 

Malacca Zoo director Mohd Nawayai Yasak was also not happy that the elephants

had been placed so close to a housing area and main road.

 

He said the noise of the city and the traffic could disturb the elephants and

nobody could predict what could happen.

 

& #147;The owner had been given a valid permit for the elephants. This is not

really our area but we are monitoring the elephants.

 

& #147;If these were wild elephants, we would have acted, such as tranquillising

them and moving them to the zoo.

 

& #147;However, even in a tame state, they could still run amok, & #148; said Mohd

Nawayai.

 

Malacca mayor Datuk Zaini Md Nor said the elephants & #039; recent performance at

the Portuguese festival was not illegal, as it was part of the permit given to

the festival organisers.

 

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