On May 4, the Dong Nai Nature-Culture Reserve confirmed that it is working with local authorities to monitor the movement of the elephant herd, which had been spotted near residential zones in Ma Da commune.

According to footage recorded by local residents, the herd, consisting of both adult and juvenile elephants, suddenly emerged along a dirt road leading to Suoi Tuong hamlet (Hamlet 4, Ma Da commune).

Nha Tuan, the man who filmed the video, shared that he and his friends were on their way to camp by Tri An Lake when they unexpectedly encountered the elephants crossing the road from the forest.

“I was terrified and anxious at the time, but I still pulled out my phone to capture the moment,” Tuan recalled.

A representative from the Dong Nai Nature-Culture Reserve noted that in recent months, the elephants have frequently appeared near the forest edges and residential areas in search of food.

In particular, the herd has been seen moving onto provincial road DT761, which connects Vinh Cuu district center to the Southern Central Committee revolutionary base. This road sees regular traffic, posing a high risk of collisions.

Tran Duc Son, chairman of Ma Da commune’s People’s Committee, stated that since the beginning of 2025, more than 30 households have suffered crop damage caused by wild elephants.

“Our rapid response team is conducting on-site assessments of the affected land and property to compile documentation for submission to the Vinh Cuu district authorities for compensation,” said Son.

Earlier in February, a rare elephant with asymmetrical tusks was spotted at the forest edge in Dinh Quan district and within the Dong Nai Nature-Culture Reserve. This elephant was notably identifiable by one tusk curving upward and the other curving downward.

Hoang Anh