Johor ramps up efforts to reduce conflicts between humans, elephants

Relocation of animals, wildlife crossing bridge and electric fences among measures, as cases surge amid shrinking elephant habitats

- Harith Mustaffa

Officers from the wildlife department, Perhilitan, loading two elephants that were transported to Yong Peng, Johor, for an elephant awareness programme on Sept 26, onto a truck to be taken back to the Johor Elephant Sanctuary in Kota Tinggi. Reports of human-elephant conflicts have surged from 103 cases in 2020 to 253 in 2024. ST PHOTO: HARITH MUSTAFFA

(HARITH MUSTAFFA)

On TikTok, Mr Slamet Saket's drone videos of elephants grazing on fruit trees at plantation fields in Kota Tinggi, Johor, may look like a panoramic shot straight out of a wildlife documentary.

But the drone recording is actually part of a safety measure for the Indonesian migrant plantation worker. Before he enters his 1.6ha worksite each time, he scans the area for wild elephants.

The 37-year-old from Central Java, who has been working on plantations in Johor since 2014, told The Straits Times that incidents of human-elephant conflict at his worksite have become more regular over the past three years.

"It's common to see juvenile elephants resting or grazing here two to three times a week, and whole herds during harvest season," said Mr Slamet, who takes care of rambutan and banana crops. Damage by just one elephant can cause major losses for small farm owners, or smallholders, in Malaysia.

"There have been countless times I was chased by wild elephants when I encountered them at work, so the drone helps me find a way around them."

Mr Slamet's experience reflects a worrying trend in Malaysia's southernmost state, where developments are ramping up and consequently encroach on nature. As a result, reports of human-elephant conflicts have surged from 103 cases in 2020 to 253 in 2024 – causing millions of ringgit in losses.

Among the worst-affected areas are the district of Kluang, about 100km north of Johor Bahru, and Kota Tinggi, home of the popular tourist destination Desaru.