50 elephants ‘addicted to sugarcane’ destroy 2000 rai of crops in Thailand

A herd of round 50 wild elephants has migrated into farmland in Loei province in northeast Thailand, destroying 2000 rai of crops up to now. There isn’t any sign of them retreating into the forest.
Recently, around 50 elephants migrated into agricultural land within the Phra Kradueng district from the Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary.
No wonder the elephants moved away from their home given the goodies on provide – the herd has labored their way via entire fields of sugarcane, bamboo, bananas, and cassava and even chomped on rubber trees.
So far, an space of 2000 rai has been destroyed, severely impacting farmers’ livelihoods. The herd have shown no signs of retreating and farmers haven’t tried to harvest any crops out of concern.
Phra Kradueng District Chief Phuriwat Chotinparat mentioned that a team of individuals have been assembled to try to work out how to drive the herd back to the wildlife sanctuary.
Chief Phuriwat said…
“As for the affected villagers, we try to understand that the elephants are addicted to the taste of meals – particularly bananas and sugarcane.
“Normally, elephants do not live in deciduous dipterocarp forests like this. This is the primary time ever that wild elephants have ever come to reside within the Phu Kho Phu Kratae forest.
“Between 4-6pm daily, the elephants come out to find food. They don’t eat until it’s gone, however graze and transfer along, causing damage to a large area.”
The village chief mentioned farmers had been suggested to salvage any sugarcane they’ll at the beginning is ruined. But some farmers are rightfully too scared to enterprise into their fields.
Confessions mentioned he’s desperately trying to find ways for elephants and villagers to stay in harmony.
He mentioned it’s not the truth that the forest isn’t abundant enough for the elephants – but they only can’t assist themselves to fields of sugarcane. He says the elephants are “addicted” to sugarcane.
Farmers may need to adjust their alternative of crops for the area to turn out to be a “sugarcane-free zone” to rid the world of temptation.
Wild elephants and villagers in distant areas of Thailand are not getting along that properly in current times.
Last month, a seventy one yr previous lady was in her backyard watering her eucalyptus plants when she looked up to lock eyes with a wild elephant. The elephant stamped on her, and she miraculously survived with minor injuries.
In September, an elephant with no respect for the law smashed its method into a house in Prachin Buri province and helped itself to some fermented fish and other food gadgets earlier than fleeing into the jungle..

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