Nghe An: A herd of wild elephants appears and destroys people's gardens

According to information from the staff of the Anh Son District Forest Protection Management Board, on the afternoon of November 3, Mr. Vo Van Chi’s family members were at work when a herd of wild elephants came to destroy a Bodhi tree hill near their house. After that, the herd of elephants moved on to destroy the corn fields of neighboring families.

Elephant footprints on the grass in Bai Da village, Phuc Son commune, Anh Son district (Nghe An). Photo: Thai Hien

As soon as they learned that the elephants were causing havoc, Mr. Chi’s family and the Anh Son Forest Protection Management Board were present and together with the villagers, they tried to chase the elephants away. However, due to the difficult terrain and the elephants being on top of the mountain, it was very difficult to approach and chase them away.

Currently, Forest Management Board staff and local people are pulling electric wires to the scene to continue to chase away the elephants.

Based on the footprints, local people confirmed that these were large elephants. Photo: Thai Hien

Due to the rugged terrain, the herd of elephants is on the top of the mountain, making it difficult to approach and chase them away. Photo: Thai Hien

Local people believe that this could be a herd of wild elephants in Pu Mat National Park. In recent years, this herd of elephants has often come to destroy crops and trees of people in the buffer zones of Anh Son and Thanh Chuong districts.

To ensure the safety of people and elephants, Anh Son district has directed the authorities of Phuc Son commune and related units to regularly patrol and promptly detect elephants when they appear in residential areas.

In recent years, herds of elephants have often come to destroy crops and trees of people in the buffer zone of Pu Mat National Park, in Anh Son district, Thanh Chuong. Photo courtesy

At the same time, coordinate with local people to take measures to repel elephants by beating drums, gongs, lighting fires, etc. Put up danger warning signs in areas where elephants appear; absolutely do not use tools or weapons to attack, directly conflict with, or endanger or provoke elephants.