Forestry Ministry Reports Elephant Death Suspected from Electrified Wire in Aceh

Jakarta (ANTARA) — The Ministry of Forestry, through the Aceh Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA), has confirmed the discovery of a dead Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus) in Karang Ampar village, Aceh Tengah regency, suspected to have been electrocuted by a high-voltage wire.

In a statement received in Jakarta on Sunday, the head of BKSDA Aceh, Ujang Wisnu Barata, explained that based on a preliminary examination at the site — a community plantation area in Karang Ampar village — a female elephant estimated to be around 20 years old was believed to have died on Friday evening (20 February) after being electrocuted by a wire carrying high-voltage current.

“The installation of high-voltage electrified wire carries enormous risks that endanger not only wildlife but also our own lives, our families, and surrounding residents,” said BKSDA Aceh head Ujang.

He said the report of the protected animal’s death was received from local residents on Saturday (21 February). Following up on the information, a BKSDA Aceh team, together with personnel from the Karang Ampar police sub-district, community policing officers, and partner organisation WWF Indonesia, immediately conducted an inspection at the scene.

When discovered, the victim elephant’s trunk was still found entangled in the electrified wire.

Officers have now established a police cordon around the location to secure the area. This measure was taken while awaiting the arrival of a medical team travelling to the site to carry out a necropsy and burial of the elephant.

Ujang Wisnu Barata issued a stern warning regarding the incident, emphasising that the practice of installing high-voltage electrified wire is extremely dangerous.