Riau Police to Announce Findings in Elephant Killing Case Next Week
The Riau Police Chief, Inspector General Pol Herry Heryawan, stated that there has been progress in the case of the elephant killing, which occurred in the concession area of PT RAPP in the Ukui district, Lubuk Kembang Bunga village, Ukui sub-district, Pelalawan regency. The Riau Police will announce the results of the investigation into the elephant’s death next week.
“Next Tuesday, God willing, we will announce the findings regarding the death, killing, or shooting of the elephant in a location possibly 10 or 15 kilometers from here,” said Inspector General Herry Heryawan in Tesso Nilo, Pelalawan, Thursday (February 26, 2026).
The Riau Police Chief conveyed that his team is serious in its efforts to preserve nature and its ecosystem. “We continue to strive to preserve the ecosystem here, including elephants,” he said.
40 Witnesses Questioned
Previously, the Head of Public Relations of the Riau Police, Commissioner Zahwani Pandra Arsyad, said that the joint investigation team from the Riau Police’s Special Crimes Directorate and the Pelalawan Police had questioned 40 witnesses, including employees of PT RAPP and local residents.
“From these 40 witnesses, we have found some clues, and we hope for the support of the community in Riau so that there will be no more illegal hunting,” said Commissioner Pandra in a statement, Thursday (February 19).
Commissioner Pandra admitted that they faced some difficulties in investigating the information related to the perpetrators. One of the difficulties was that the elephant was found in a state of decay.
“The results of the necropsy confirmed that the elephant had been dead for more than 10 days (before it was found). These are the obstacles, but we are doing our best to uncover the truth,” explained Commissioner Pandra.
Commissioner Pandra said that 40 people had been questioned in connection with the case. From the testimonies of these witnesses, the police began to find some clues.
“From the 40 people who have been questioned, we have obtained information that sheds light on the case, and we ask for your support to uncover the perpetrators and all those involved in the elephant poaching,” he explained.
Tracing the Ivory Trafficking Syndicate
In an effort to track down the elephant killers, the Riau Police and the Pelalawan Police have made maximum efforts. One of them is by tracing the distribution channels for the sale of elephant ivory.
“We are tracing the distribution channels that are suspected of being used by the perpetrators to sell elephant ivory or other protected animals,” he explained.
Elephant Killed by Gunshot
The death of the Sumatran elephant has attracted public attention. The elephant was killed by a gunshot, and part of its head, including its eyes, trunk, and both tusks, was missing.
The carcass of the wild elephant was found by residents on Monday night (February 2, 2026). The results of the necropsy (examination of the carcass) found a projectile in the elephant’s skull, indicating that the wild elephant did not die naturally but was killed.
The Riau Police Chief, Inspector General Pol Herry Heryawan, affirmed that his office is strongly committed to uncovering the perpetrators of wildlife poaching, including the case of the elephant’s death in the Pelalawan regency.
The Riau Police ensures that the investigation process will continue gradually and sustainably. The Riau Police also invites the public to play an active role in preventing illegal hunting by reporting any suspicious activity to the nearest police station or through the Polri call center 110.