Forest Fires Encircle Banyuasin Elephant Conservation Centre

Two Sumatran elephants (Elephas maximus sumatranus) were seen foraging near the site of a forest fire at the Jalur 21 Padang Sugihan Elephant Conservation Centre (PKG) in Banyuasin Regency, South Sumatra, on Thursday (17/09/2026).

The Ministry of Forestry has deployed 24 Manggala Agni personnel from Daops Sumatera XVII-OKI, 22 personnel from Daops Sumatera XIV-Banyuasin, and 24 BKO personnel from Daops Sumatera IX-Jambi and Daops Sumatera VI-Siak. The firefighting effort also includes the Fire Care Community (MPA), 10 personnel from the Ujung Kulon and Bukit Duabelas National Park offices, and teams from the South Sumatra BKSDA (Natural Resources Conservation Agency) to extinguish the fires in the area.

The fire in the Padang Sugihan Wildlife Sanctuary area has become a major concern as the region is a primary habitat for Sumatran elephants. The Ministry of Forestry has confirmed that the 29 elephants under the care of the Elephant Conservation Centre are currently in good condition and have not suffered health issues due to smoke exposure, though continuous monitoring of the animals is being conducted throughout the firefighting operations.

Manggala Agni personnel are currently conducting firefighting and cooling operations at the Jalur 21 Padang Sugihan Elephant Conservation Centre. The management of the fire involves dozens of personnel from Manggala Agni, BKSDA South Sumatra, the Fire Care Community, and support from various regional personnel to prevent the fire from spreading into the wildlife habitat.