Perhilitan expects elephant sanctuary in Gerik to be operational by 2030

IPOH: The Perak Elephant Sanctuary at Jalan Raya Timur-Barat (JRTB) is expected to be completed by 2030, says Perak Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) director Yusoff Shariff.

He stated that the RM40mil project was submitted to the Economy Ministry on May 6, and the decision regarding its construction was solely under the jurisdiction of the Federal government.

“If everything goes smoothly, I think this sanctuary can operate as early as 2028, but for the infrastructure facility to be fully completed, perhaps 2030 is a more realistic target.

“With the availability of such a facility, it will reduce human-elephant conflicts at JRTB,” he said when contacted by Bernama on Thursday (May 22).

Bernama reported on July 18, 2020, that the Energy and Natural Resources Ministry announced the Perak Elephant Sanctuary (PES) development at Batu 11, JRTB in Gerik.

Perhilitan’s records show 4,919 complaints of human-elephant conflicts were reported between 2020 and 2024, with property loss estimated at RM39.4mil.

On the effectiveness of a wildlife crossing at the JRTB, Yusoff said the 200-metre crossing, also known as a viaduct that was built for RM26mil in 2015, proved helpful but does not guarantee the safety of elephants that inhabit the area along the route.

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He added that this was because the crossing was built at KM157 of the JRTB and only used by the elephants inhabiting that area.

“The viaduct only helps on a small scale and is only used by animals inhabiting that area. So, we feel that the setting up of a sanctuary will provide greater safety assurance for both road users and elephants at the JRTB,” he said.

He also did not rule out the possibility of building more wildlife crossings along the JRTB if there is a specific allocation for it. – Bernama