Vulnerable To Conflict With Humans, South Sumatra BKSDA Accelerates Evacuation Of Wild Elephants In South OKU

OKU - The Natural Resources Conservation Center (BKSDA) of South Sumatra is making efforts to accelerate the evacuation of a herd of wild elephants in Mekakau Ilir District, South Ogan Komering Ulu (OKU) Regency so that there is no conflict with humans.

Representative of the South Sumatra BKSDA, Herman, said that this wild elephant in South OKU is one of the priorities to be immediately evacuated to be moved to its habitat.

"Our visit to South OKU is to synergize with related parties to immediately address the problem of wild elephants so that they can be evacuated immediately," he said in Muaradua, South OKU, Antara, Friday, May 13.

For this reason, his party immediately arranges appropriate mechanisms and techniques in an effort to protect the existence of animals protected by the state so that they do not become extinct.

"We are trying to solve the problem of wild elephants in South OKU by July 2022 by moving them to a safe place," he said.

Meanwhile, South OKU Regent Popo Ali Martopo added, the presence of wild elephants is very disturbing to residents if they enter residential areas in the area.

Based on a report from the Mekakau Ilir District Government, the impact of wild elephant rampage some time ago damaged crops, plantations and residents' huts so that they could no longer be occupied.

For this reason, the regional government fully supports the efforts of the South Sumatra BKSDA to evacuate wild elephants to prevent conflicts with humans.

"We fully support the mechanism, including the budget and others, so that this problem is quickly resolved for the benefit and safety of the community," he said.