Herd of Elephants Enters Employee Housing in Siak, Police Confirm No Casualties

A herd of wild elephants entered the employee housing area of PT Arara Abadi’s Tapung District in Kampung Rantau Bertuah, Minas Subdistrict, Siak Regency. Eleven elephants were reported to have entered the compound, damaging buildings and vehicles.

Siak Police Chief Senior Commissioner Sepuh Ade Irsyam Siregar explained that the police immediately conducted monitoring and coordinated with the company and relevant parties to ensure the situation remained safe and under control.

“Based on a report from the Minas Sector Police, a herd of approximately eleven elephants entered the employee housing area at around 07:00 Western Indonesian Time. The animals pushed down and demolished the walls of the security quarters and damaged three motorcycles parked at the location,” Senior Commissioner Sepuh told reporters on Sunday (22/2/2026).

He stated that the incident had begun in the early hours of Saturday (21/2) at approximately 02:00 Western Indonesian Time, when the herd was detected in the vicinity of the concession area. The situation gradually became stable by 09:30 Western Indonesian Time after the elephants returned to the forested area and left the employee settlement.

There were no casualties in the incident. However, the employee quarters building and several motorcycles were reported damaged.

The police urged all residents and the company to heighten vigilance, particularly in areas directly bordering wild animal habitats.

“We prioritise preventive measures and public safety. Personnel on the ground are also coordinating with the company and relevant stakeholders for continued monitoring, so that the potential for human-wildlife conflict can be minimised,” he explained.

The Siak Police Chief stressed that the entry of elephants into residential areas is not merely a security issue but is also linked to ecosystem dynamics and the increasing overlap between animal habitats and human activity. He therefore called for approaches that are not purely repressive but instead prioritise mitigation and preventive measures.

“We urge all parties, including the public and companies, to refrain from actions that could trigger panic or endanger the animals. Should elephant movements recur, please report immediately to the authorities so that the situation can be handled in a measured manner,” he said.

The Minas Sector Police, together with relevant agencies, are continuing to monitor the situation around the incident site to ensure the safety of residents and the normal continuation of company operations.