{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1590165,
        "msgid": "indonesia-to-reconnect-sumatran-elephant-corridors-in-riau-1772705597",
        "date": "2026-03-05 16:19:23",
        "title": "Indonesia to reconnect Sumatran elephant corridors in Riau",
        "author": "",
        "source": "ANTARA_EN",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Infrastructure",
        "summary": "Indonesia's Environment Minister Antoni is advancing a project to reconnect Sumatran elephant corridors in Riau by upgrading the Sebanga and Minas Elephant Training Centers. The improvements include expanded grazing areas, a water reservoir, new feeding zones, and veterinary treatment enclosures, with plans for an elephant clinic at Minas to bolster health facilities. The programme aims to restore habitat connectivity, reduce human-elephant conflict, and enable elephants to move safely between forest habitats, while calling on communities and authorities to support the effort.",
        "content": "<p>Antoni noted that restoring these corridors is crucial to maintaining\necological balance and ensuring the sustainability of the endangered\npopulation.<\/p>\n<p>The minister inspected the Sebanga and Minas elephant training\ncenters in Riau during a visit focused on accelerating efforts to\nreintegrate habitats fragmented by deforestation and land\nconversion.<\/p>\n<p>According to a press statement released Thursday, the inspections\nassessed infrastructure and conservation programs aimed at restoring\nsafe migration paths between forest areas where elephant populations\nhave become isolated.<\/p>\n<p>Antoni previously visited the Sebanga Elephant Training Center on\nNov.\u00a029, 2025, where local residents raised concerns regarding limited\nland and inadequate facilities.<\/p>\n<p>Following that visit, the minister instructed his office to improve\nconditions at the center to support better animal welfare and\nconservation management.<\/p>\n<p>Several new facilities have since been completed at the Sebanga\ncenter, including a water reservoir, expanded feeding areas, and\nspecialized enclosures for veterinary treatment.<\/p>\n<p>Antoni said these improvements significantly increased the available\nspace for elephants.<\/p>\n<p>He pointed out that the grazing area at the Sebanga center has\nexpanded to approximately 15 hectares, up from the single hectare\npreviously reported by residents and observers.<\/p>\n<p>Clean water facilities have also been installed, including storage\ntanks and a newly constructed reservoir.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, the ministry built treatment enclosures to assist with\nveterinary care for animals undergoing medical procedures or\nrehabilitation.<\/p>\n<p>New feeding enrichment areas now cover about one hectare, planted\nwith crops such as sugarcane, pineapples, and bananas.<\/p>\n<p>After visiting Sebanga, Antoni continued his inspections at the Minas\nElephant Training Center.<\/p>\n<p>The government plans to bolster animal health facilities there,\nincluding the construction of a dedicated elephant clinic.<\/p>\n<p>Antoni emphasized that the corridor restoration program will link\nMinas with surrounding habitats currently separated by forest loss.<\/p>\n<p>He urged communities, conservation groups, and local authorities to\nsupport these efforts.<\/p>\n<p>Restoring habitat connectivity is essential to reducing\nhuman-elephant conflict and allowing the animals to move safely across\ntheir traditional forest ranges.<\/p>\n<p>Related news: Critically endangered Sumatran elephant calf found dead\nin Riau<\/p>\n<p>Related news: Indonesia, UK advance climate financing for elephants\nin Aceh<\/p>\n<p>Translator: Arnidhya NZ, Rahmad Nasution<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indonesia-to-reconnect-sumatran-elephant-corridors-in-riau-1772705597",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}