Local authorities are working with relevant agencies and Pu Mat National Park to guide the herd back into its natural habitat, Pham Manh Hung, chairman of the Mon Son Commune People's Committee, told Dantri Newspaper on the morning of November 13.
The herd appeared overnight in Yen Village, Mon Son Commune, Nghe An. (Photo: P. Manh)
Hung said residents spotted the four elephants at around 10 pm on November 12 in Yen Village, Mon Son Commune, within the buffer zone of Pu Mat National Park.
As the animals moved through the area, they damaged several makeshift camps, banana trees and acacia trees belonging to local residents.
After receiving reports of the incident, the Mon Son Commune People's Committee mobilised local forces to monitor the herd, implement measures to drive the elephants away, minimise property damage and protect residents.
"That night, the commune authorities deployed personnel to the area where the elephants had appeared, lit fires and attempted to drive them away. However, as of the morning of November 13, all four elephants were still roaming in an acacia forest in Yen Village and had not returned to the deeper forest," Hung said.
On the night of November 12, Mon Son Commune authorities lit fires to drive away the herd. (P. Manh)
As the herd remained close to areas used by local residents for farming and production, authorities stationed personnel in the area to closely monitor the animals' movements.
The commune is also coordinating with Pu Mat National Park and other relevant agencies to implement a plan to guide the elephants back into the forest and prevent potential conflicts between the wild animals and local residents.
As of the morning of November 13, authorities remained on duty in Yen Village, while the elephants showed no signs of moving deeper into the forest.
Earlier in November, another herd of six wild elephants appeared in Veu 2 Village, Anh Son Commune, also in Nghe An Province.
The animals entered areas used for tea and rubber cultivation, damaging workers' camps and destroying some crops. Local authorities worked with relevant agencies to monitor the herd and implement safety measures.
After spending several days roaming around areas where residents were working, the six elephants eventually returned to the deeper forest.
