Death of Young Elephant at Tesso Nilo: Riau Police Criminal Directorate Establishes Land Owner as Suspect
Pekanbaru – The handling of a young Sumatran elephant’s death case in the Tesso Nilo National Park area continues to develop. The Special Criminal Investigation Directorate of Riau Police has now established a land owner as a suspect in a matter related to plantation activities within the conservation area.
Kombes Ade Kuncoro, Director of the Special Criminal Investigation Directorate of Riau Police, explained that the case originated from public information regarding the discovery of an elephant calf’s carcass in Lubuk Kembang Bunga Village, Ukui District, Pelalawan Regency, on Thursday, 26 February 2026.
“Upon receiving this information, the Special Criminal Investigation Directorate team together with the Criminal Investigation Unit of Pelalawan Police immediately went to the location to conduct investigations and process the crime scene,” said Kombes Ade to journalists on Monday (2 March 2026).
He explained that at the location within Tesso Nilo National Park, investigators found evidence that the elephant calf had allegedly suffered a serious infection in its front left leg due to a rope snare.
“The snare was allegedly installed illegally and became the primary cause of the wound that led to the death of the protected animal,” said the 2000 Police Academy graduate.
However, the investigation did not stop at suspected animal death alone.
During the crime scene investigation, Ade continued, the team discovered palm oil plants and land ownership markers around the location where the carcass was found. This discovery was then developed further.
“We examined two aspects simultaneously: the suspected death of a protected animal and plantation activities within the national park area,” he said.
Ade explained that based on coordinate verification with mapping experts and zoning specialists, the location was confirmed to be within the conservation forest area of Tesso Nilo National Park as established in the Forestry Minister’s Decree No. 255 of 2004 and Decree No. 6588 of 2014.
Investigators then examined several neighbouring witnesses, land managers, and brought in experts to verify the status of the area.
After an investigation conference, a man with initials JM, 44 years old, a resident of Lubuk Kembang Bunga Village, was established as a suspect.
“The person concerned acted as a land owner located within the national park area. The suspect was established after a process of witness examination, expert consultation, and analysis of documents and forest area maps,” he said.
In this case, the suspect is charged under Article 40 paragraph (1) letters d and e and Article 40A paragraph (1) letter d of Law No. 32 of 2024 concerning Conservation of Natural Resources and Ecosystems, with penalties of up to 15 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of 5 billion rupiah.
Kombes Ade stressed that the investigation continues to explore the possibility of involvement by other parties, including regarding the practice of installing snares in conservation areas.
“This law enforcement action is a manifestation of our commitment to protecting conservation areas and animals protected by law. Tesso Nilo National Park is a strategic area that must be safeguarded. Every violation within it will be prosecuted firmly in accordance with applicable legal provisions,” he said.
This case adds to the list of serious concerns regarding encroachment and illegal activities in the Tesso Nilo area, which has long been an important habitat for Sumatran elephants.
Riau Police ensured that the investigation process was conducted professionally, based on witness and expert testimony, and supported by precise mapping analysis of the area.
“This is not merely about one criminal case. This is about preserving the conservation area and ensuring that the law is present to protect the ecosystem,” he concluded.