Riau Police Chief and Head of Riau BKSDA Inspect Location of Dead Elephant Calf Discovery in Tesso Nilo

Thu, 26 Feb 2026, 22:58 WIB | By Putri Yuliani | Source: MEDIA_INDONESIA | Environment

The Riau Police Chief, Irjen Herry Heryawan, together with the Head of the Riau Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA), Supartono, visited the Tesso Nilo National Park (TNTN) on Thursday, February 26. This followed the discovery of the carcass of a wild elephant calf in the Lancang Kuning Resort, Section I of the TNTN area.

During the inspection, the Police Chief was accompanied by the Director of Criminal Investigation, the Director of Special Crimes, the Head of the Riau Police Forensic Laboratory, and the Head of the BKSDA. This was to ensure that the handling process was carried out seriously, measurably, and based on scientific examination.

According to initial information, the carcass of the elephant calf was found at around 12:00 PM and was already in a state of decomposition, estimated to have died more than a week ago.

The preliminary suspicion is that the death was related to an infection in the leg, allegedly caused by a snare. The medical team from the TNTN is currently conducting further investigations to determine the exact cause of death.

Irjen Herry stated that his presence, along with the criminal investigation and forensic laboratory units, aimed to ensure that every step of the handling process was carried out professionally and that conclusions were not drawn prematurely before the complete results of the examination were obtained.

“We want to ensure that the process is based on the facts on the ground. Therefore, I, along with the director of criminal investigation and the forensic laboratory, came directly to see the actual conditions and support the ongoing examination process,” said Herry.

He explained that the carcass of the elephant calf was found thanks to joint patrols between police personnel and forest rangers in the TNTN area. According to him, the collaboration in field patrols is an important factor in detecting various potential threats to wildlife early on.

“Even though it was found in a state of decomposition, the presence of this elephant calf was detected because of the joint patrol. This is an evaluation for us to continue strengthening integrated patrols in vulnerable areas,” he explained.

The Police Chief added that in the future, they would increase the intensity of patrols, especially snare-sweeping patrols, to anticipate the practice of setting snares by poachers and other irresponsible parties.

“We will encourage more massive snare-sweeping patrols so that snares that endanger wildlife can be found and immediately removed,” he emphasized.

According to him, the involvement of the criminal investigation and forensic laboratory units is an important part of anticipating the possibility of legal violations, without neglecting the medical process carried out by the conservation agency.

“We are still waiting for the results of the medical team’s examination through a necropsy. If indications of a criminal act are found, it will of course be followed up according to the applicable regulations,” he explained.

The Riau Police are currently coordinating with the TNTN and the Riau BKSDA to support the collection of data and analysis at the location.

“Further developments regarding the cause of death of the elephant calf will be communicated after the results of the necropsy and field investigations are obtained completely,” concluded Irjen Herry. (RK/E-4)

Sad news has struck the Tesso Nilo National Park (TNTN) in Riau again.

The Riau Police revealed that 40 witnesses have been questioned and are suspected of being involved in the trade of protected animal parts.

The Riau Police Chief, Irjen Herry Heryawan, visited the location where a Sumatran elephant (Elephas Maximus Sumatranus) was found killed in the concession area of PT Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper (RAPP) on Saturday, February 7.

The Riau Forest Rescue Network (Jikalahari) strongly condemned the killing of a Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus) in the concession area.

This evaluation was carried out by summoning the company’s directors to be questioned regarding the implementation of obligations to protect forests and wildlife in the concession area.

Sad news has struck the Tesso Nilo National Park (TNTN) in Riau again.

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