KUALA BERANG, Malaysia, Sept. 6 (UPI) -- Poachers are scaring off wild elephants in Malaysia, causing them to invade oil palm estates and orchards for food, The New Straits Times reported Monday.
"Elephants are smart," said State Wildlife and National Parks deputy director Ghazali Omar, "Once they sense the presence of poachers, they will move away and find food elsewhere."
He said elephants had been sighted in Kemaman, Dungun, Hulu Terengganu, Setiu and Besut. Of the estimated 400 elephants in the peninsula, about half roam the primary forests of Terengganu, including areas bordering the National Park.
Ghazali said it was hard to locate the poachers as they operated deep in the jungle. Last year, 10 suspected poachers were detained, but the lack of evidence meant they could only be charged with illegal entry into the National Park.
