GUA MUSANG: The staff at SK Pasir Linggi, Pos Lebir, were rattled by the presence of a wild elephant that damaged plants within their school premises last Friday.

       School principal, Mat Ail Ibrahim, 53, said that it was the first time such an incident occurred within the school grounds, adding that the elephant damaged banana trees planted by the teachers in front of the school quarters.

       He expressed concern that this alarming incident might recur, potentially resulting in more extensive damage, including to property, and posing a threat to the safety of teachers and students.

       “My school was ‘visited’ by a wild elephant, standing at about six feet tall, around 11pm on Friday through the back fence near the school field. Previously, it only roamed outside the school, damaging residents’ plants, rubber trees, and the Orang Asli’s farming plots.

       “We were in a state of fear for over an hour before the elephant was successfully driven away by the village chief after being contacted by one of the school staffers,” he said yesterday, Bernama reported.

       The school’s senior assistant of student affairs, Tuan Almadi Tuan Kasim, 50, said the damage and scattered banana leaves were clearly visible in the early morning as he went out to wake up the students staying in the dormitory.

       “Throughout my five years of service here, I have heard stories about the presence of elephants in this settlement. However, when an elephant entered the school and wandered around, I became more worried and afraid. There were about five elephants, but only one entered.

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       “We hope the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) can track these elephants and find alternatives to prevent them from entering the village and school,” he said.

       Gua Musang MP Mohd Azizi Abu Naim said the issue of wild animal threats could be promptly addressed if the Perhilitan office could be relocated to this area.

       “The reported cases of threats in Gua Musang are more numerous than in urban areas, so I see this proposal as relevant.”