Baby elephant dies after being snared as TNTN tightens patrols in forest areas

Pekanbaru — The Tesso Nilo National Park Authority (TNTN), in Riau Province, is tightening patrols in the area and promoting cross-stakeholder synergy to eradicate wildlife snares following the death of a baby elephant that was snared inside the conservation area.

“We express our deep concern. For us, this is a hard blow that such activities causing wildlife deaths still occur in forest areas,” said TNTN head Heru Sutmantoro when contacted from Pekanbaru on Wednesday.

He explained that initial examination of the carcass found a snare binding the front legs of the protected animal. At discovery, the carcass had decayed and is estimated to have died around a week earlier.

According to him, the snare issue is a major threat to wildlife in Sumatra and is not confined to national park conservation areas. TNTN, which borders production forests, believes joint actions to eradicate snares are needed.

Heru stressed the need for a hard ban and severe sanctions against offenders who install snares in all forest areas, whether in conservation, protected forests, or production forests. He noted perpetrators often justify snares are set for wild boar not protected by law.

“Setting snares in any forest area must be prohibited and the perpetrators must be subjected to stiff penalties,” he said.

He urged all elements of society to join in eradicating wildlife snares that pose the major threat.

“Especially for elephants, because the size of the snare set for unprotected wildlife often traps young elephants, whose feet are smaller than those of adults,” said TNTN head Heru Sutmantoro.