Police Narrow Net Around Hunters, Trace Elephant Ivory Sellers in Riau
A joint team from the Riau Provincial Police's Special Criminal Investigation Directorate and Pelalawan District Police is continuing its investigation to narrow the net around hunters who killed a Sumatran elephant in a concession area in Ukui Sub-district, Pelalawan Regency. One key avenue of inquiry involves tracing the ivory selling syndicate.
"We are tracing the distribution channels where suspects are believed to have sold elephant ivory or products from this protected species," said Riau Police Public Relations Chief Commissioner Zahwani Pandra Arsyad to journalists at Riau Police Headquarters on Thursday (19 February 2026).
Investigators have gathered statements from dozens of witnesses to track down the poachers who killed the Sumatran elephant. The witnesses include those at the crime scene as well as members of the surrounding community.
"This means that Pelalawan District Police and the Riau Police Special Criminal Investigation Directorate have shown great commitment, having already examined around 40 witnesses — both witnesses near the crime scene and those in the surrounding company concession area," he said.
The witness statements are expected to help uncover the perpetrators of the elephant killing. Riau Police are also coordinating with the Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) in investigating the case.
"From these 40 witnesses, we are hopeful, because the examinations are being conducted intensively and we are coordinating with BKSDA Riau. These examinations do not forgo scientific investigation efforts," he said.
Commissioner Pandra affirmed Riau Police's commitment to solving the elephant killing case. This also underscores Riau Police's dedication to implementing 'Green Policing', a flagship programme of Riau Police Chief Inspector General Herry Heryawan.
"Riau Police is very concerned and committed to taking action against the hunting of protected species as regulated under Law No. 32 of 2024 on the Conservation of Natural Resources and Their Ecosystems," he explained.
The death of the Sumatran elephant has attracted significant public attention. The elephant was found shot dead with part of its head missing, including its eyes, trunk, and both tusks.
The carcass of the wild elephant was discovered by local residents on the evening of Monday (2 February 2026). A necropsy revealed a projectile lodged in the rear of the elephant's skull, indicating that the animal did not die of natural causes but was deliberately killed.
Riau Police Chief Inspector General Herry Heryawan affirmed his force's strong commitment to apprehending the perpetrators of protected wildlife hunting, including this elephant killing case in Pelalawan Regency.
Riau Police has assured the public that the investigation will continue in a phased and sustained manner. The force has also called on the public to play an active role in preventing poaching by reporting any suspicious activity to the nearest police station or through the National Police call centre on 110.
"We are tracing the distribution channels where suspects are believed to have sold elephant ivory or products from this protected species," said Riau Police Public Relations Chief Commissioner Zahwani Pandra Arsyad to journalists at Riau Police Headquarters on Thursday (19 February 2026).
Investigators have gathered statements from dozens of witnesses to track down the poachers who killed the Sumatran elephant. The witnesses include those at the crime scene as well as members of the surrounding community.
"This means that Pelalawan District Police and the Riau Police Special Criminal Investigation Directorate have shown great commitment, having already examined around 40 witnesses — both witnesses near the crime scene and those in the surrounding company concession area," he said.
The witness statements are expected to help uncover the perpetrators of the elephant killing. Riau Police are also coordinating with the Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) in investigating the case.
"From these 40 witnesses, we are hopeful, because the examinations are being conducted intensively and we are coordinating with BKSDA Riau. These examinations do not forgo scientific investigation efforts," he said.
Commissioner Pandra affirmed Riau Police's commitment to solving the elephant killing case. This also underscores Riau Police's dedication to implementing 'Green Policing', a flagship programme of Riau Police Chief Inspector General Herry Heryawan.
"Riau Police is very concerned and committed to taking action against the hunting of protected species as regulated under Law No. 32 of 2024 on the Conservation of Natural Resources and Their Ecosystems," he explained.
The death of the Sumatran elephant has attracted significant public attention. The elephant was found shot dead with part of its head missing, including its eyes, trunk, and both tusks.
The carcass of the wild elephant was discovered by local residents on the evening of Monday (2 February 2026). A necropsy revealed a projectile lodged in the rear of the elephant's skull, indicating that the animal did not die of natural causes but was deliberately killed.
Riau Police Chief Inspector General Herry Heryawan affirmed his force's strong commitment to apprehending the perpetrators of protected wildlife hunting, including this elephant killing case in Pelalawan Regency.
Riau Police has assured the public that the investigation will continue in a phased and sustained manner. The force has also called on the public to play an active role in preventing poaching by reporting any suspicious activity to the nearest police station or through the National Police call centre on 110.