Snare Found on the Leg of a Dead Sumatran Elephant Calf in Tesso Nilo

A Sumatran elephant calf was found dead and decaying in the Tesso Nilo National Park (TNTN) in Pelalawan Regency, Riau Province. The male elephant, estimated to be around 5 years old, died with its leg caught in a snare.

“Based on preliminary findings, there are marks of a snare on the elephant’s leg, and the snare is still intact,” said the Chief of Riau Police, Inspector General Pol Herry Heryawan, to reporters at the location on Thursday (26/2/2026).

Riau Police is currently awaiting the results of a necropsy to determine the cause of death of the elephant calf. This includes investigating the snare that caught the elephant.

“We are formulating several hypotheses regarding the possible causes of the elephant’s death, including whether it died after being caught in the snare, developing an infection, and then dying at the scene,” he added.

The elephant calf was found in the Tesso Nilo National Park area, within a 200-meter radius of the park’s boundary. The death of the elephant was discovered by officers from Tesso Nilo National Park who were conducting a patrol in the area at around 12:00 PM local time.

Herry Heryawan stated that they are currently conducting further investigations into the death of the elephant calf. A team from the Forensic Laboratory Center has been deployed to the location to conduct a crime scene investigation.

Riau Police is also working with the Riau Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) for an intensive investigation. The elephant will undergo a necropsy to determine the exact cause of death.

“We are waiting for the doctor to perform the necropsy to determine the cause of death,” he said.

The Chief of Riau Police expressed his condolences over the sad news. Inspector General Herry Heryawan has shown great concern for Sumatran elephants and other wildlife in the province.