Mourning the Loss of Indra, the Resilient Elephant from Way Kambas National Park

Sad news has come from Way Kambas National Park (TNWK) in East Lampung. A tame male elephant named Indra, who for decades was an important part of Sumatran elephant conservation efforts, has been reported dead. The death of the resilient elephant is considered a great loss to the world of wildlife conservation in Indonesia. Indra, aged 42, had served for more than three decades in various conservation activities in Lampung Province. The Head of the TNWK Agency, MHD Zaidi, confirmed the death. He stated that Indra was not merely a captive animal, but a part of the long history of Sumatran elephant conservation in Way Kambas. ‘Indra made a huge contribution to various field activities and the handling of human-wildlife conflict. His passing is a great loss for us,’ he said. Zaidi explained that Indra died after suddenly collapsing in a swamp area of Way Kambas National Park while bathing. The accompanying mahout and the rescue team immediately attempted an evacuation with the help of several other tame elephants. ‘On Sunday (21/6) afternoon, Indra was carrying out his routine bathing activity in the swamp. However, when he was about to return to his enclosure, the elephant suddenly collapsed and was unable to stand,’ he said.