Wild elephants damage farms and workers' shelters in Nghe An

Le Tuan Anh, head of Veu 2 Village in Anh Son Commune, said on the morning of November 4 that the herd had been spotted in a rubber-growing area in the village.

On the night of November 3, the elephants emerged from the forest and moved into the plantation in search of food around workers' shelters. They damaged the structures and several items inside.

The previous night, the herd entered a farming area in Veu 2 Village, trampling tea plants belonging to a resident, Luong Van Nui. It also damaged a pig-farming shelter owned by Luong Van Nhuan.

On the morning of November 4, representatives of the Anh Son Commune authorities, forest rangers and village officials visited the sites to inspect and document the damage.

According to the village head, the herd comprises six elephants, including adults and calves. They remain in the rubber plantation near a protected forest.

The repeated appearances have alarmed residents, particularly those who work or stay in shelters near the forest.

Le Anh Tuan, director of Pu Mat National Park, confirmed that a wild elephant herd had been seen in the Anh Son area in recent days. He said the group included both adult elephants and calves.

This is not the first time the herd has visited the area. According to Tuan, elephants typically move into the area between September and October on the lunar calendar each year and may remain until February before leaving.

During the summer, the herd is often seen around Pha Lai Dam in Mon Son Commune, within the buffer zone of Pu Mat National Park. Local residents have documented this seasonal movement for years.

Surveys by the park have identified around eight wild elephants in the area, Tuan said.

The herd's repeated presence near places where residents work and live poses potential safety risks. Authorities need to closely monitor its movements and issue timely warnings so residents can take precautions while helping protect the wild elephants.