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TAWAU (Jan 22): Residents of Kampung Sungai Udin in Tawau are living in constant fear due to frequent encounters with a herd of elephants. The herd, consisting of seven to eight elephants, has been passing through the village almost daily, causing significant damage to crops and threatening the livelihoods of the community.
Hamidi Lakolu, a villager, expressed the collective frustration of the 1,000 residents, whose main source of income depends on farming. “We are unable to farm because we fear the elephants. Our crops are being destroyed, and our lives are at risk,” he said.
Hamidi also highlighted a worrying increase in elephant sightings around the village, located within an oil palm estate. This has raised concerns about the safety of residents, particularly following tragic past incidents involving elephants.
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He recalled the devastating death of a senior citizen on September 23, 2022, who was believed to have been trampled by an elephant along Jalan Merotai-Kalabakan. Another grim reminder came on September 30, 2019, when anglers discovered the body of a pygmy elephant near the Dumpas area close to the village.
Villagers have filed multiple complaints with the Wildlife Department, urging them to take swift and effective measures to address the situation. However, Hamidi lamented the lack of decisive action. “We plead with the authorities to help us. Don’t let us live in fear any longer,” he said.
The community hopes for a permanent solution that ensures their safety and protects their livelihoods while promoting peaceful coexistence with the wildlife.