AR-News: Elephant herd to be split despite objections

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"Young animals are easier to train than older, wilder ones." 
 

http://www.emedia.com.my/Current_News/NST/Saturday/National/20040703112541/Article/indexb_html
 
New Straits Times » Local

Elephant herd to be split despite objections 
Loretta Ann Soosayraj 

KUALA LUMPUR, July 2:   
First they were captured for a lifetime in captivity. Then, they were rescued 
and promised a return to the wild. Now, 11 elephants are headed for a split 
from their herd.

Trapped by an individual on claims that they had damaged oil palm 
plantations, the animals were initially to have been shipped off to zoos in China.

Fortunately, the Sabah Wildlife Department, with the support of several 
non-governmental organisations, prevented the deal from going through.

As it now turns out, five of the herd will be released in Sabah's Gunung Rara 
Forest Reserve next month. The rest will remain at the state-run Lok Kawi Zoo 
until a decision on their fate is made.

State Wildlife Department director Patrick Andau would only confirm that 
"some of the elephants would be kept", but declined to provide details.

One reason cited for not releasing these elephants is that some of them were 
sick, said a source.

"While ill health is an acceptable reason to delay their release, there must 
be some form of assurance that they would be freed once they have recovered," 
the source added.

Another reason given for not releasing them is that some were too young to 
fend for themselves.

The elephants — at first a dozen, but one has since died — were captured as 
a herd and nature lovers argue that as they had lived as a herd, it would be 
only natural to release them as one.

"There is no need for a captive facility to step in to look after the young 
if the family unit is intact and the animals are healthy," said one.

Sources suspect that the real reason for not releasing the young ones is 
because they could be used for future exchanges with foreign zoos, or to use them 
as attractions at the yet-to-be-opened Lok Kawi Zoo.

Young animals are easier to train than older, wilder ones. One of the 
elephants is also pregnant.

However, as far as Sabah's Tourism, Environment, Science and Technology 
Ministry is concerned, "the case is closed".

Its permanent secretary, Datuk Monica Chia, added: "The Press has said enough 
and so have we." 

    
    


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