IUCN Says Forestry Minister's Leadership is Key Asset for Elephant Conservation

The international conservation community has expressed high appreciation for the strategic steps taken by Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni in strengthening elephant protection in Indonesia. The Minister’s leadership is considered a crucial asset in ensuring the survival of this protected species.

Heidi Riddle, Chair of the IUCN SSC Asian Elephant Specialist Group, stated that the issuance of Presidential Instruction No. 8 of 2026 on the Protection of Elephant Populations marks an important historical milestone. This policy reflects the Indonesian government’s strong commitment to building wildlife protection efforts through cross-sector collaboration.

“The issuance of Presidential Instruction No. 8 of 2026 is an important milestone for elephant conservation in Indonesia and sends a very positive signal to the Asian elephant conservation community. Elephant conservation has never been an easy job,” Heidi said when contacted in Jakarta on Monday (13/7).

Heidi explained that elephant conservation requires a multi-sectoral approach. This is because elephants are animals with a very wide roaming range, so their habitats often cross various administrative boundaries and intersect with other development sectors.

“The survival of elephants is highly dependent on cross-sector cooperation, not only the management of conservation areas, but also spatial planning, infrastructure development, the plantation and agriculture sectors, local governments, and various other stakeholders,” she elaborated.

During her visit to Indonesia some time ago, Heidi admitted to having discussed various challenges on the ground directly with Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni. From that meeting, she perceived a strong vision and commitment from the Forestry Minister to accelerate the strengthening of elephant protection.

“I express my appreciation to the Forestry Minister and the Government of Indonesia for their leadership and commitment in producing this important policy,” Heidi asserted.

Although the implementation of the policy requires time and consistency, Heidi is optimistic that Presidential Instruction No. 8 of 2026 has provided a strong legal and operational foundation. As a form of tangible support, the IUCN SSC Asian Elephant Specialist Group is committed to continuing to assist Indonesia through the sharing of experiences, scientific knowledge, and expertise from experts in various Asian elephant range countries.