Thirsty elephants enter village and destroy crops, trees Nang Veasna, Khmer Times April 24, 2024 A herd of thirsty wild elephants in search of water ventured into a village and destroyed many crops and trees in Mondulkiri province on April 21. Searing temperatures have driven wildlife beyond their natural habitat looking for water but the residents of Pu Tram village, Monorom commune, Sen Monorom city, Mondulkiri province were taken off guard by the surprise visit of the thirsty elephants. In a two-minute video, which went viral on social media, the elephants enter the village and begin pulling up crops, eating coconuts, and pushing over durian trees to slake their thirst. In another incident on April 14, a woman was attacked and killed by an elephant while she was gathering bamboo shoots in the forest near O’Am village, Sre Khtum commune, Keo Seima district in Mondulkiri province. Sos Mi Lem, Keo Seima district governor, said that the Keo Seima district administration has taken measures to instruct villagers about venturing into an elephant’s habitat when searching for food in the forest to avoid any unfortunate encounters with the animals. Chhaiv Bun Thoeun, director of the department of environment of Mondulkiri province, said that the department had a meeting with relevant NGOs on restoring a watering hole in the area, because in the dry season most water sources dry up. He said that there are water sources that still have a little water, but because they are deep, it is difficult for elephants to reach the water. In addition, during the dry season leaves and grass also die forcing elephants to search for food elsewhere, especially in villages where bananas, coconuts and other crops are found. He added that the department and other authorities have instructed people to be on alert for elephants but don’t shoot or harm the animals in any way. He added that usually a herd of wild elephants that enter a village has between 20 to 30 animals from the 350 to 400 elephants found nationwide. Seng Hong, a resident, said that in the dry season there is a lack of water, so please maintain the forest habitat for animals, and if the animals come to the village please don’t harm them. https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501477699/thirsty-elephants-enter-village-and-destroy-crops-trees/