Baby Elephant Falls into Septic Tank in Riau, Herd Rampages Through Workers' Quarters

A total of 13 wild Sumatran elephants went on a rampage, damaging housing and motorcycles belonging to employees of PT Arara Abadi in Siak, Riau. The herd’s rampage was triggered after one of their calves fell into a septic tank.

“The elephants went on a rampage because a calf had fallen into a septic tank,” explained Siak Regent Afni Zulkifli on Monday (23/2/2026).

Afni said the elephant herd had never previously disturbed local residents. She noted that the rampaging herd was distressed and confused about how to rescue their young one from the septic tank.

“This small elephant is approximately one month old and has been returned to its group. The herd was waiting for their calf there, going on a rampage presumably out of confusion about how to help their young one,” Afni said.

After the evacuation, the mother immediately circled around the baby elephant. The herd stopped its rampage once the calf was successfully rescued.

Video footage showed the baby elephant trapped inside the septic tank. The calf was evacuated from the septic tank pit using ropes and was immediately guided back to its group in the forest.

“That is correct, the incident occurred this morning at the PT Arara Abadi employee quarters. It was reported by residents,” said Siak Regent Afni Zulkifli on Sunday (22/2).