Kota Kinabalu: An elephant herd was spotted feasting on what seemed to be a newly cleared oil palm field.
The public has expressed concern about whether the mammals “destroyed” the oil palm crop because they have no other food source.
Sabah Wildlife Director Augustine Tuuga said “it is not due to a shortage of food or habitat.”
“Elephants are drawn to the tender shoots of palm tree stems that have been chopped down and chipped for replanting,” he said.
He explained that under such circumstances neither the elephants nor the plantation had any problems.
“The elephants are attracted to the oil palm shoots because they enjoy eating them. It is not because the forests are devoid of habitat or food,” he explained.
The tender shoots of palm tree stems are thought to be a favourite diet of elephants.
The 51-second video clip was reportedly shot on a Kunak plantation.
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