Dak Lak (VNA) – Shrinking and degrading wild elephant habitats inthe Central Highlands province of Dak Lak have led to a shortage of food andmore conflicts between wild and domestic animals, according to Director of theDak Lak Elephant Conservation Centre Huynh Trung Luan.
The locality has witnessed five conflicts between wild and domestic elephantssince March. The wild animals, in group of six to seven, have reportedly beenapproaching forest ranger stations and residential areas to search for food andattack domestic ones. They hurt seven animals of the centre and killed anotherin Krong Na commune, Buon Don district.
Luan said that when wild elephants enter the stage called “musth”, they willbecome more aggressive and hurt others for the right to mate with females.
In a bid to reduce the clashes, the centre has ordered elephant keepers and tourismbusinesses to enhance measures to protect their animals. Elephants should be caredand protected at home, the centre recommended.
The number of domestic animals in the province drops dramatically to 43individuals from 502 in 1980. The herd of domestic elephants is facing thethreat of extinction as many of them are no longer fertile.-VNA