Riau Police Chief Visits Minas Elephant Training Centre, Urges Stronger Conservation Efforts

Riau Police Chief Inspector General Herry Heryawan visited the Minas Elephant Training Centre (PLG) as part of a working visit to the Siak Police. The presence of the Police Chief at PLG Minas represents a strong commitment to wildlife conservation, particularly for the Sumatran elephant. Also in attendance were the Head of the Riau Province Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BBKSDA), Supartono, and Siak Police Chief AKBP Sepuh Ade Irsyam Siregar. During the visit, the Riau Police Chief had the opportunity to observe the conditions of the conservation area firsthand, while also interacting closely with and feeding the giant mammals. This moment served as a tangible demonstration of the police force’s concern for one of Indonesia’s most precious biological treasures. Inspector General Herry Heryawan emphasised that the duty of the National Police is not only to maintain security but also to care for nature and its ecosystems. ‘For us, maintaining security does not only mean protecting humans, but also caring for nature and all life within it,’ he stated on Friday. The Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus) is a subspecies of the Asian elephant whose natural habitat is on Sumatra Island. Increasing human-elephant conflict has placed this mammal under threat of extinction. ‘The Sumatran elephant is a heritage that we must protect together,’ he added. The two-star general affirmed his force’s ongoing commitment to protecting wildlife and their ecosystems. Therefore, the Riau Regional Police continues to build collaboration and synergy with relevant agencies in efforts to protect the Sumatran elephant from extinction. ‘Through collaboration between the National Police, BBKSDA, the government, and the community, we hope conservation efforts can be strengthened so that habitats remain sustainable and wildlife can coexist harmoniously with humans,’ he explained.