Riau Police Chief Inspects Location of Dead Elephant Calf in Tesso Nilo National Park
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, PEKANBARU – The Chief of Riau Police, Irjen Herry Heryawan, visited the Tesso Nilo National Park (TNTN) on Thursday, February 26, 2026, following the discovery of the carcass of a wild elephant calf in the Lancang Kuning Resort, Section I of the PTN area.
During the inspection, the Chief of Police 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 Riau BKSDA (Conservation of Natural Resources). This was to ensure that the handling process is carried out seriously, measurably, and based on scientific examination.
Based on initial information, the carcass of the elephant calf was found at around 12:00 PM, in a state of decomposition, and is estimated to have died more than a week ago.
The preliminary suspicion is that the death is related to an infection in the leg, allegedly caused by a snare. Currently, the medical team from the TNTN is conducting further investigations to determine the exact cause of death.
Irjen Herry said that his presence, along with the criminal investigation and forensic laboratory units, aims to ensure that every step of the handling process is carried out professionally and that conclusions are not drawn hastily before the complete results of the examination are obtained.
“We want to ensure that the process runs 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, collaborative patrols in the field are 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 joint patrols. This is an evaluation for us to continue strengthening integrated patrols in vulnerable areas,” he explained.
The Chief of Police added that in the future, they will increase the intensity of patrols, especially snare removal patrols, to anticipate the practice of setting snares by poachers and other irresponsible parties.
“We will encourage more massive snare removal patrols so that snares that endanger wildlife can be found and immediately removed,” he said.
According to him, the involvement of the criminal investigation and forensic laboratory units is an important part of anticipating the possibility of criminal elements, 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 later, it will certainly be followed up according to applicable regulations,” he explained.
The Riau Police is 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,” said Irjen Herry.