Forestry Minister lauds the exposure of elephant-poaching network in Riau

Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni has expressed appreciation for the efforts of the Indonesian Police (POLRI) in uncovering a network involved in hunting Sumatran elephants (Elephas maximus sumatranus) and for naming 15 people as suspects. In a statement received in Jakarta on Wednesday, the minister confirmed the commitment of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (Kemenhut) together with POLRI to eradicate crimes against protected wildlife. ‘Poaching of protected species is a serious crime that not only damages ecosystems but also threatens the survival of our biodiversity. Law enforcement must be conducted firmly and consistently, with support from local government and active participation of the public,’ said Minister Raja Juli Antoni. He spoke after the revelation by the Riau Police Chief regarding the death of a male elephant in Pelalawan Regency, Riau, with 15 suspects named and three others listed as Wanted Persons (DPO) as part of the elephant-poaching network. The case began with the discovery of the carcass of a male elephant aged about 40 years in Pelalawan Regency on Monday (2/2). The carcass was decomposed with the head separated and both tusks missing. Forensic examination and necropsy results reinforced the suspicion that the death was caused by gunshot wounds. Through in-depth investigations involving ballistic analysis, forensics, and cross-provincial network development, it emerged that the network has been operating from 2024 to 2026 in nine different locations in Ukui and its surroundings. In the operation, a joint team recovered two improvised firearms, 798 rounds of ammunition of various calibres, six shell casings of 5.56 mm calibre, ten magazines, four suppressors for firearms, three rifle scopes with mounts, two firearm lasers, three firearm barrels, one Grendel firearm, and two bottles of gun-cleaning solvent. The findings indicate the network’s involvement in trading other parts of protected wildlife.